The Clemson football offense could change for the better
The Clemson football offense has been one of the best in the country for quite some time, but there is one change we’d like to see the Tigers make.
As we enter the 2020 season, Tony Elliott is tasked with putting together a system that will allow him to get the most out of his talented unit, led by Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and Travis Etienne at running back.
There is one change, though, we’d like to see the Clemson football offense make this season.
It’s time for Clemson football to attack
All too often, the premise of the Clemson football offense- especially over the past three seasons- has been to ‘feel out’ the defense. The Tigers spend the majority of the first quarter running plays that lend themselves to the defense and it gives them an idea of how to attack heading into the next couple of quarters.
It’s a methodical approach, but it’s time for that to change.
When you look at the opponents on the 2020 Clemson football schedule, there is no reason for any defense to dictate anything to the Tigers. If the running game is working, Clemson should be able to run it down their throats. If the passing game is working, they should be able to open it up and let it fly.
There’s no reason to wait around and play conservative football when you have the amount of talent the Tigers possess.
Though he had plenty of flaws, think of Chad Morris. Did Morris operate too quickly at times and put more pressure on the Tiger defense than he should’ve? Sure. But there was never a moment where the Clemson offense wasn’t in ‘attack mode’ under him.
The Tigers took what the defense gave them, sure. But they also dictated to the defense what was going to be open. They used their talent to their advantage.
And that’s what we want to see from this offensive unit in 2020.
Don’t let the defense dictate what you do. Instead, dictate to the defense what you’re going to do and make them pay. This offense has a chance to be special, but the conservative and ‘feeling out’ play-calling has to stop. We need to see both Lawrence and Etienne get their opportunity to play at full capacity with no restraints.