Clemson Football: Three questions about the running backs

How often will they be targeted in the passing game?

One thing to consider for the running backs is that instead of simply looking at who has the most rushing yards at season’s end is that we should instead consider all-purpose yards.

In an air raid-based attack, we can expect the running backs to block, but also become targets. Sometimes there will be screens (sorry if that is disappointing) but they will also be running routes out of the backfield.

How often they will be targeted by quarterback Cade Klubnik is TBD. After all, he will sometimes have four wide receivers on the field. He will also have tight end Jake Briningstool, who might be the best pass catcher on the team.

Schematically, there might not seem to be much need to target the running backs. Logically, one might assume that blocking becomes the primary job of a running back on passing plays.

Then you remember what kind of playmakers you have in Shipley and Mafah. At that point, I think Riley uses every possible way to get them involved in the game.

A lot of these things were said a year ago. Maybe we were thinking more about Kobe Pace than Mafah, but much of the discussion was similar. The way the backs were used is a big reason why Riley is here today. There is no way he is making the same mistake.