Clemson Football: Five keys to victory against the Duke Blue Devils

Specialists will need to play well

I know that sounds very basic, so let me expand a bit. Elko is a good defensive coach. The Blue Devils were a good example of bend (56th in the nation in yards allowed) but not break (25th in points allowed).

I think it is very fair to expect the Tigers to score some touchdowns on Labor Day. I think it is also fair to expect the Blue Devils to limit options the closer the Tigers get to the red zone. The Tigers will also make mistakes as they continue to learn a new offense.

While it will be great to think the Tigers will score a touchdown on every drive, it won’t happen. Against a smart coach like Elko, Clemson will need to win the field position battle.

When the Duke defense does bend but avoids breaking, the Tigers will need new starting kicker Robert Gunn to look as good in the regular season as he apparently has in scrimmages.

When the Tigers stall before reaching Gunn’s range, they will need their punter to pin the Devils back. Aidan Swanson returns to punt this season but has been competing with Jack Smith. Swanson probably gets the nod but nothing has been said to indicate that either player is hands down better than the other.

If the punting from the starter doesn’t impress, we might see both Swanson and Smith get opportunities.