Clemson Football: Scouting Report vs. LSU Tigers

The Clemson football team will play the LSU Tigers for the National Championship. Here’s a scouting report on the Tigers heading into the match-up.

The Clemson football program is currently on a 29-game winning streak and is just one victory away from repeating as National Champions.

The Tigers defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 29-23 in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl last week and will now turn their attention to the LSU Tigers for a tilt in New Orleans.

LSU comes into the game with a perfect 14-0 record and will be looking to complete its ‘storybook ending’ with a win in the National Championship game played in their home state.

Here’s our scouting report for Clemson football heading into the match-up, beginning with that LSU offense.

Scouting Report: LSU Offense

LSU has had the most prolific offense in the country throughout this entire season. The Tigers are led by a vaunted passing attack with Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and a very deep group of wide receivers.

LSU’s offensive tendency is to use 4-wide and 5-wide sets to exploit the defensive backfield. They’ll find the match-up that they like and use that to their advantage, while mixing in the running game.

What you’re going to see in the passing attack is pretty simple: The receivers are going to attempt to find holes in the coverage and sit down in them. Burrow will get the ball out quick to the open man and they’ll look to take 6, 7, 8 or 9 yards a time, depending on the coverage.

Once the defense tightens up, LSU will take a shot down the field. They’ll look to get the ball to one of their top receivers- Ja’Maar Chase, Justin Jefferson or Terrace Marshall Jr. (assuming he’s healthy- depending on what the match-ups look like.

LSU has a capable rushing attack, as well, that has to be accounted for. Burrow himself will run the ball when the pocket breaks down or the middle opens up. He’s a very athletic QB and has the ability to keep the chains moving with his scrambling ability.

Look for Clemson to set up in that 3-man set and put extra defensive backs on the field to defend the pass. The Tigers will likely use a guy like Baylon Spector as they did last week against Ohio State to help spy the QB while Isaiah Simmons drops back and plays a little more safety to help strengthen coverage and makes things difficult on Burrow.

I’d also expect Brent Venables to dial up some pressure and exotic blitzes to get to Burrow, but it should be noted that LSU has one of the stronger offensive lines in the nation.

Scouting Report: LSU Defense

The LSU defense has been an enigma all season.

Though the Tigers have plenty of talent and several guys that will play in the NFL, they’ve struggled to stop spread offenses- especially offensive units that have dual-threat quarterbacks.

Jalen Hurts was too timid against LSU and didn’t exploit that secondary, but I’ve got a feeling Trevor Lawrence won’t be the same way.

LSU has a talented front-seven, but it’s not on the same level as Ohio State. The Tigers also possess a talented secondary, but their safeties aren’t great in coverage.

The key for Clemson’s offense is seeing if the Tigers can establish more of a running game. If Clemson can control the time of possession, that LSU defense will wear down and it will keep Joe Burrow off the field.

Overall, Clemson has to find a way to do what no other team, for the most part, has done this season and contain that LSU offense. The Clemson football team has the talent and depth to compete defensively and the star-studded offensive attack should lead the way as the Tigers look to repeat as National Champions.