......can ND's OL do just enough to establish a run game that Clemson has to respect it and we can attack their so-called weakness- the secondary?
I know it's nowhere as good as Clemson's but FSU was supposed to have had one of the better defensive fronts in CF and ND pretty much dominated them. So I ask again. Can our OL do enough to pass protect in critical situations or convert 3rd and shorts or even produce enough up front to pull that Clemson secondary up close to the line so Book can hit Boykin, Finke or Claypool OR (and I'm really reaching here) Lenzy/Keys deep?
you need to use whatever plays can take advantage of that aggression. Things like all types of screens, sweeps, RPO's, misdirection plays, etc. I remember one game where Weiss used a lot of screens to slow down a pass rush. I don't recall the opponent, but it seemed to work pretty well.
than 50 yards on the ground. Maybe the game plan loosens up that front, but ND has not done well running against above average DLs. We'll need to see a lot of new wrinkles for the running game to be any sort of threat. They've had plenty of time to work on some new ideas, and this game will be a defining moment for Long.
Clemson is tough to run on. Everyone points to the 'Cuse game to suggest some vulnerability, but Clemson pretty much slammed the door on the run game . . . with the exception of one 19 yard rush early in the game. If ND runs for 100+, I honestly think ND wins. If ND runs for 80+, the D might keep them in it to win it. If ND struggles to get to 50? Only turnovers will keep ND in the game.
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