Clemson Football: RB Cam Akers will provide challenge for Tigers
The Clemson football defense has had a little trouble stopping the run this season. Could FSU RB Cam Akers provide a challenge for the Tigers?
Could Clemson football have some troubles with FSU RB Cam Akers? There’s certainly reason to believe the talented running back could have some success.
As good as the Tiger defense has been this season, Clemson football actually ranks outside the top-25 in rushing defense. The Tigers are, in fact, No. 13 in average yards per carry (2.77) in the nation, but anyone watching the defense has seen a slight drop-off in run-stopping ability.
For example, we need to look no further than the North Carolina game. The Tigers had some trouble stopping the Tar Heels, allowing their top two running backs to rush 26 times for 148 yards (5.7 YPC).
Some of this has to do with Clemson football dropping back and adding an extra defensive back to slow down passing attacks. Some of it also has to do with the Tigers missing Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, in particular, on the inside.
Either way, it’s clear that the best running back in terms of talent that the Tigers will face this season is FSU RB Cam Akers.
Behind a bad offensive line, Akers has 115 carries for 582 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. That’s an average of 5.1 YPC with one of the worst Power-5 offensive lines in the nation.
Akers is an explosive running back who has the ability to get down the field in a hurry. You don’t want him out in space with the speed and nice blend of power that he possesses.
The game plan for the ‘Noles is pretty simple. Florida State is going to try and take advantage of that Clemson 3-man front. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Akers rush the ball close to 30 times Saturday afternoon. They’re going to let the run open up the passing game and try to take some shots down the field based off of success in the rushing attack.
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The Tigers have the talent to stop the run, but they can’t afford to have missed tackles and allow Akers to stay on his feet. Clemson’s defense needs to take care of the fundamentals and it will be interesting to see how Brent Venables choose to counter Florida State’s rushing attack Saturday afternoon.