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Clemson football: Eight boxes the Tigers must check-off in 2020

By James Bostic

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Travis Etienne #9 of Clemson University scores a touchdown during a game between Clemson University and University of North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Travis Etienne #9 of Clemson University scores a touchdown during a game between Clemson University and University of North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Will Spiers #48 of the Clemson Tigers punts against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

The final three target areas that Clemson football must improve on in order to win their fourth national title.

6. Top 15 in Punting Average

How many times have we watched opposing punters earn NFL contracts for their performances against Clemson? The list is too many. It is time for the Tigers to start returning the favor. The punting game can be easily overlooked when you have Brent Venables and a stellar defense.

We know the groans that come from a moonshot when an opposing punter lets one rip. We need that from Will Spiers this fall. The ability to flip the field and force offenses to go 70-80 yards instead of 50 takes the pressure off the defense.

Based on 2019 stats a Top 15 punting performance would take him up to roughly 45 yards a kick up from 42.8 and 66th in the rankings.

7. Top 3 in takeaway average

One could accuse me of being greedy on this one but “Best is the Standard”. This is even more audacious when the Clemson defense ranked 9th in average takeaways per game. This is about playing chess when your opponents are playing checkers.

This is all about stepping on the throats of opponents early and sending a message that this team is focused on redemption.

8. Lead nation in tackles for loss

The return of the four-man front should allow for this to be a real possibility coming of 2019. Last season the Tigers ranked 7th at 7.9 tackles for loss a game. Negative plays are the bane of the existence of any offense.

Next. Tigers will do what South Carolina simply couldn’t. dark

The expectation in 2020 is DOMINANCE. Especially after giving up an average of 510 yards in three postseason games to close out the 2019 college football season.

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