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Clemson Football: The missing factor in the Tigers’ lack of offense

By Andrew Boardwine

COLLEGE STATION, TX - SEPTEMBER 08: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers scores on a 64 yard reception in the second quarter as Charles Oliver #21 of the Texas A&M Aggies is unable to stop him at Kyle Field on September 8, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX - SEPTEMBER 08: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers scores on a 64 yard reception in the second quarter as Charles Oliver #21 of the Texas A&M Aggies is unable to stop him at Kyle Field on September 8, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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It has nothing to do with the quarterbacks. Here is the missing factor in Clemson football’s lack of explosive and consistent plays on offense.

There was just something missing in Clemson football’s offense Saturday night against Texas A&M.

It has nothing to do with the quarterbacks. While we could complain about the play-calling all day long, that’s not the huge missing factor either.

It’s obviously not the athletes. Clemson has plenty of explosive skill position players that can make plays.

Unfortunately, the catalyst for an explosive offense starts up front. And right now, the Tigers are missing the physicality and continuity along the offensive line needed to be an elite offense.

Can they improve?

Mitch Hyatt played a pretty solid game Saturday night against Texas A&M. He graded out at more than 90 percent and showed that he is looking to get better after an inconsistent 2017 season.

But, the other guys just haven’t performed up to par.

Some of that can be attributed to play-calling. When you see teams lining up and stacking the boxes with seven players, of course you’re going to let a guy through when you’re only blocking with five.

The play-calling has to get better to help the offensive line out. Wide receiver screens and quarterback runs up the middle just aren’t going to score a lot of points. You’ve got to take some shots downfield and have some passing routes where the quarterback can get the ball out quickly.

If you spread the field and get the ball out quickly, that will force the defense to adjust. But, the offensive line has its fair share of work to do.

The line was beaten badly against Alabama back in the Sugar Bowl. You can say a lot of the same things about the Texas A&M game.

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For Clemson to have an explosive offense, it’s got to start up front. You need this group of guys to develop chemistry and to be more physical. You want them to get a push up front. That just wasn’t the case Saturday night.

They certainly have room to get better and I think they’ll live up to the challenge, but only time will tell.

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