Clemson football: Tigers defense has to be better in 2020

The defense will be the biggest question for Clemson football in 2020.

The last two times we saw Clemson football take the field in 2019, the defense was horrendous. By far the worst two-game stretch under defensive coordinator Brent Venables and it isn’t debatable.

In the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, the Tigers gave up 516 yards of total offense and if we are being honest with ourselves, the only reason it wasn’t more than 600 yards was the injury to running back J.K. Dobbins.

Clemson football fans love to pat themselves on the back for the comeback win and Ohio State fans love to blame officiating for the loss, but the real reason that Clemson was able to win the game was the injury to Dobbins.

Venables had no answer for him and that was obvious from the start.

In the national title game against LSU, Clemson football did, in fact, give up more than 600 yards of total offense. Again, we make all the excuses that we want, but the fact remains is that Brent Venables defense was embarrassed the last two times it was on the field.

Clemson football defense has to eliminate big plays in 2020 to win another national title.

The Clemson football defense was become one of the best units in the country and has done so by eliminating big plays from their opponents. However, against LSU and Ohio State, the Tigers defense gave up 18 plays of 20 more yards.

Yes, you read that correctly.

During the 2019 regular season, the Clemson football defense gave up just under 12 first downs per game. Against Ohio State, the Tigers gave up 28 first downs and against LSU they gave up 29. If you can’t make plays and get off the field, you cannot win.

There are a lot of new names and faces on the Clemson defense in 2020 as seen on the first depth chart of the 2020 season. Venables has been really impressed with Brian Bresee, Myles Murphy, Trenton Simpson, and Fred Davis II and that is reflected in the depth chart. All of those guys are listed as either starters or second-team players.

Replacing first-round draft picks A.J. Terrell and Isaiah Simmons won’t be easy. Mike Jones Jr and Andrew Booth Jr will get the opportunity first. Those two have to realize early that they just need to be who they are and trust their instincts.

No one is expecting them to be as elite as the two guys they are replacing were. Jones and Booth simply have to go out there and play sound football and rely on their teammates and coaching staff early in the season.

We all expect the Tigers defense to get back in track and compliment what should be an explosive Clemson football offense this fall. Without a full offseason, they may struggle out of the gate but should find their footing as they hit championship mode of their season.