Clemson Football: Oppo Research – Previewing Louisiana Tech

Week 3 for Clemson football is here.  That’s amazing to think about.  It feels like just last week that we could not wait for the season to start and after Saturday we will be a quarter of the way through the season.  This week the Tigers go under the lights and host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in Death Valley.

With the struggles of some of the receivers, Tiger fans are excited for the debut of true Freshman Adam Randall, coming off of an ACL injury.  It’s hard to believe that the hopes of a receiving core are in the hands of a true freshman coming off of a major injury/surgery, but here we are.

Last week I marveled at the dominance of the Tiger defense.  What a difference a week makes where the Tigers could not stop the screen or a highly motivated and athletic Furman team.  That shouldn’t happen though, regardless of how good the Paladins are in the Southern Conference.

***I would be remiss if I didn’t put #E11aStrong in this preview, as really sad news swept Tiger Nation this week with the passing of Ella Bresee, Bryan’s younger sister.  I send my most sincere condolences to the entire family.***

Here is your preview of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs traveling east from Ruston, Louisiana.

Opponent: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs  – 9/17 8pm EST – Clemson, SC – Memorial Stadium

Head Coach Sonny Cumbie enters his first year as a head coach after spending the last nine years as an offensive coordinator at TCU and Texas Tech.  He is known as one of the most innovative minds in college football and brings an Air Raid style of offense to Ruston.  The former walk-on turned starting quarterback at Texas Tech brings a passion for the offensive side of the ball and an exciting brand of football.

Co-Offensive Coordinator Scott Parr (TEs) is also in his first year in Ruston after a stint at Navarro College in Texas.  His co-coordinator Jake Brown (WRs) has experience as an analyst and a quality control coach under Cumbie at Texas Tech.  As much as Coach Cumbie has two OCs, he takes most of the control of the offense.

The Bulldogs lost their season opener to the Missouri Tigers 52-24 and followed up that disappointment by putting it on Stephen F. Austin 52-17.  The offense averages 38 points per game through two games on the season.

Here is a look at the projected starters on Offense:

Quarterback – Matthew Downing – Junior – 21-38 197 yds. 1 TD; 3 INTs
Running Back – Marquis Crosby – Freshman – 23-221-2 TDs
Wide Receiver – Smoke Harris – Junior – 8-62-1TD
Wide Receiver – Tre Harris – Sophomore – 11-128-1TD
Wide Receiver – Kyle Maxwell – Sophomore

Tight End – Griffin Hebert – Senior – 4-156-2TDs
Right Tackle – Carson Bruno – Freshman

Right Guard – Isaac Ellis – Junior

Center – Abraham Delfin – Senior

Left Guard – Joshua Mote – Senior

Left Tackle – Dakota White – Sophomore

Matthew Downing is the projected starter for the upcoming game with the Tigers, but it was Parker McNeil who led the Bulldogs to their victory a week ago.  Expect to see both quarterbacks for LaTech this weekend.  Both have experience in Cumbie’s offense and know they must get the ball out quick in order to combat this pressuring defensive front of the Tigers.

This is an air-raid attack.  For those that do not know what that means, you can probably figure it out by the name alone.  They try to use the pass to open up the run game.  And if the air attack is unsuccessful initially, keep throwing.  It is based on a ton of quick throws out in space to playmakers.  Lots of screens as well, and if the last two weeks are any indication, Clemson may be in trouble on that front.

Dabo Swinney discussed a few of the pass-catchers by name this week in his weekly press-conference.  Tight End Griffin Hebert and wide receiver Smoke Harris were two of the notables.  Both of those players have touched the ball seemingly more than most of their teammates and we can expect a lot of the same on Saturday.

The offensive line is not asked to do too much with the way the ball comes out so quick, however this is a veteran-laden unit outside of right tackle Carson Bruno who is a redshirt freshman.  The unit is led by senior center Abraham Delfin.

Onto the defensive side of the ball: Defensive Coordinator Scott Power has a great name to be a defensive coordinator or a strength and conditioning coach.  Power is in his first year at Louisiana Tech after coming over from their last week’s opponent Stephen F. Austin where he was the DC as well.

Here is a look at the projected starters for the defense:

Defensive End – Deshon Hall – Junior – 4 Tackes; 2 TFL
Defensive End – Joseph Mason – Sophomore – 1 Tackle
Defensive Tackle – Rasheed Lyles – Junior – 4 Tackles
Defensive Tackle – Keivie Rose – Sophomore – 2 Tackles
Linebacker – Khiry Morrison – Sophomore – 6 Tackles
Linebacker – Tyler Grubbs – Sophomore – 16 Tackles; 1.5 TFL
Linebacker – Hugh Davis – Junior – 11 Tackles; 1.5 Sacks
Cornerback – Willie Roberts – Junior – 3 Tackles; 1 PBU
Cornerback – Myles Brooks – Junior – 4 Tackles; 1 TFL
Safety – BeeJay Williamson – Junior – 10 Tackles; 1 TFL

Safety – Jaiden Cole – Junior – 9 Tackles; 1 TFL; 1 INT

Despite being projected to finish 9th in the Conference USA preseason Louisiana Tech seems to be a match-up nightmare for the Clemson football defense

It is no secret that Sonny Cumbie’s offense is what makes this team go.  The defense is a work in progress for Coach Power.  Having given up an average of 34.5 points per game does not bode well for a successful season.  The bright spots are at the linebacker and safety positions with Tyler Grubbs and Jaiden Cole respectfully.  Clemson has every opportunity to take advantage of a defensively-challenged squad.

Here are the projected starters on Special Teams:

Punter – Austin McCready – Freshman – 40.5 yd avg.
Kicker – Jacob Barnes – Sophomore – 2-3; long of 33
Punt Returner – Smoke Harris – Junior – 12 yard avg
Kick Returner – Solomon Lewis – Freshman – 31 yard avg.

Louisiana Tech was projected to 9th in the Conference USA preseason media poll, however seems to be a match-up nightmare for Clemson’s defense.  Akin to Pittsburgh and the tight-end shovel pass from 2015, teams are going to test Clemson’s high flying defensive front with lots of quick passes and screens.  LaTech will be no different this weekend.

I do believe that Clemson will outlast the Bulldogs in a tremendous atmosphere at night in the Valley.  But, I believe this may be closer than it should be, and I do not believe Clemson covers the exorbitant spread.