Clemson football: X-Factor on offense in 2021 is often overlooked

Looking across the country, there are plenty of people that believe Clemson football will take a giant step back in 2021 – some even going as far as to say that the Tigers will miss the College Football Playoffs this season.

Of course, Clemson football fans heard this same nonsense after Deshaun Watson took his talents to the NFL at the conclusion of the 2016 season.

Anyone saying that the Tigers run is over simply isn’t paying attention – much like those that said Nick Saban and Alabama were done.

With the stable of running backs, wide receivers, and one of the country’s best quarterbacks, there is no reason to believe that Clemson football will miss a beat in 2021.

Clemson football X-factor in 2021 is often overlooked

We all know that the Clemson football offensive line has not lived up to the recruiting rankings each young man has come in with nor have they played as well as the 2015/2016 version that featured Mitch Hyatt, Taylor Hearn, Jay Guillermo, Tyrone Crowder, and Eric Mac Lain.

Guys like Jordan McFadden and Matt Bockhorst have played a lot of football over their Clemson football careers and young guys like Walker Parks and Tristan Leigh have that young spark the offensive line desperately needs but the guy most important to the success of the Tigers offense in 2021 is going to be the winner of the center battle between Hunter Rayburn or Mason Trotter.

Both are redshirt sophomores.

Center is one of the most important positions in football as they control the start of every play and if they are having a bad game, so is everyone else. Whether a quarterback takes the snap under center or in shotgun, there is a lot of pressure on this position and that will be magnified for Clemson football in 2021 with a first-year starter at running back, quarterback, and center.

Not being solid up the middle takes away from the quarterback’s confidence in themselves and the offense they run. It also keeps teams from being able to run the ball between the tackles makes the offense one-dimensional – none of which is a recipe for success.

Offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has a lot of work before him over the next 10 weeks if Rayburn, Trotter, and the rest of the Clemson football offensive line is ready for the elite defensive line that UGA will put on the field in Charlotte.