Balance will be the theme for Clemson football on the offensive side of the ball during the 2019 season. Here’s how the Tigers will vary their playbook.
There are teams that shine in a ground-and-pound offense and there are others who attack with an air raid offense, but there are very few times that a team is equally as equipped to do both.
That’s exactly what Clemson football has working heading into the 2019 season.
If the Tigers get 75 snaps, there’s a good chance we could see them split it up with 30 passes and 35 runs, or maybe 33 passes and 32 runs. Whatever the case, it’s clear that the Tigers won’t be leaning too heavily on one or the other.
Why? The short answer is Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.
Rushing…
Rushing-wise, Clemson football has one of the best running backs in the nation in Travis Etienne. The Tigers also possess a lethal threat behind Etienne in sophomore Lyn-J Dixon. The offensive line, especially the interior, is also in good position to be able to take care of opposing front-sevens and open up holes for the running game.
Passing…
Passing-wise, Clemson has arguably the best quarterback in the nation and one of the deepest and most talented wide receiver groups. Led by a powerful 1-2 punch in Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross, the wide receivers are among an elite category.
It was difficult for secondaries like Notre Dame and Alabama to slow down the wide receiver core last season and it will be just as difficult this season with all the weapons spread out across the field.
Overall…
Just because the Tigers are balanced doesn’t mean that they won’t rely on one area in a certain game. That’s the beauty of this offense. They don’t have to pass 35 times and run 35 times to be successful, though they certainly can if they want to.
Instead, this group might rely heavily on the pass in one game and then turn around and run it down the throats of an opposing defense the next game.
Overall, this will lead to a balanced approach that is nearly impossible to game plan for and even harder to stop.