Clemson Football Analysis: Tigers lack offensive identity

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers makes safety Kenderick Duncan Jr. #27 of the Georgia Southern Eagles miss on a tackle as he runs in a long touchdown reception during the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Justyn Ross #8 of the Clemson Tigers makes safety Kenderick Duncan Jr. #27 of the Georgia Southern Eagles miss on a tackle as he runs in a long touchdown reception during the football game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers avoids the tackle attempt by Landis Durham #46 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field on September 8, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers avoids the tackle attempt by Landis Durham #46 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field on September 8, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Commit to Kelly Bryant

The first option is to commit to Kelly Bryant at quarterback.

If you do that, you’ll need become more of a run-first offense that throws a lot of out-routes and tries to lull the defense into the box before taking a shot deep down the field.

This offense will look very similar to last year’s, but hopefully the Tigers will be pick up the pace a little bit. Running more plays with this style of offense would wear a defense down and lead to some big plays through the running game.

You’d be taking the pressure off of Kelly Bryant and should see Travis Etienne get around 17-20 carries per game.

In this situation, I would take the WR screen play pretty much out of the game, but you could certainly still have a passing game with some quick routes, RPOs (run-pass-options) and passes through the play-action game.

Trevor Lawrence could still see the field for a series or two, but it would be Kelly Bryant’s offense for the most part.