Clemson Football: Formulating the perfect game plan vs. LSU

What’s the perfect game-plan for Clemson football heading into the match-up with LSU? Here’s our breakdown for what the Tigers will do.

The Clemson football program is just one win away from repeating as National Champions, but a major obstacle still remains in their way.

The Tigers, ranked No. 3 in the nation, will take on the No. 1-ranked LSU Tigers Monday night in New Orleans. LSU is listed as a six-point favorite, courtesy of the Action Network.

How will Clemson football go about attacking LSU? Here’s our look at the ‘perfect’ game plan against Ed Orgeron’s ball-club, beginning with the Clemson offense.

Offensive Game Plan:

• Don’t abandon the running game
• Get the ball out quick to play-makers
• Don’t turn the ball over
• Take advantage of secondary deficiencies
• Take some shots down the field when things open up
• Keep Travis Etienne involved

These are the six things you’ll see Clemson do on offense to put some points up against LSU’s defense. LSU is one of the worst defenses in nation at giving up big plays. As a result, you’ll see Trevor Lawrence take some shots down the field and test that LSU secondary.

LSU’s defensive backfield has tons of talent, but they have been privy to give up the longball and have struggled against elite wide receivers and solid QBs. In addition to taking some shots, expect Lawrence to get the ball out quickly to take away any kind of pressure the SEC Tigers will try to present.

Clemson will come out and try to establish a running game. Don’t expect the Tigers to abandon it completely if it doesn’t work, but even if it doesn’t, Clemson needs to find a way to keep Travis Etienne– top play-maker- involved as a potential threat.

Defensive Game Plan:

• Get pressure on Joe Burrow
• Make Burrow take the underneath options
• Don’t let anybody behind you
• Wrap-up in space and finish off tackles
• Create at least one turnover for an extra possession

Expect Brent Venables to show LSU QB Joe Burrow several different looks, especially early on in the game. Clemson is going to show different formations and coverages with the hopes of confusing Burrow or at least creating a bit of uneasiness within that LSU offense.

The key for Clemson is going to be making Burrow take the underneath options and getting pressure on him. To do that, the Tigers will send blitzers and try to exploit that LSU offense.

To make Burrow take the underneath route, Clemson’s safeties have to play the best game of the season. Nolan Turner, Tanner Muse and K’Von Wallace- as well as Isaiah Simmons when he lines up back there- can’t let receivers slip behind them. Don’t get caught looking in the backfield and be disciplined.

In addition to pressuring Burrow and making him take that underneath route, it would be extremely beneficial for Clemson to force at least one turnover to create an extra possession for the offense and keep that LSU attack on the sideline for more time.