ND must pass the ball 70% of the time and have ‘creative” timely play calling on offense. Quick passing game and backs out of the backfield are as good as extended hand offs. Use pass to set up the run. Clemson’s aggression on Defense must be used against them for 1-2 big plays preferably scores. Clemson DB will sit on ND receivers because they do not respect our speed, double moves early on will be required to open the field. Book must throw the deep ball well to win this game. Examples of creative play calling was in the Stanford game when they rolled right and threw back to Mack left wide open and walked in, those misdirection plays will work against an aggressive Clemson defense. One other note with RBs, Jones is to slow and should not play. #2 and #8 play the whole game with speed, #6 way to slow.
Defensively, and people won’t like this, but we have to rattle this kid. Man aggressive coverage and 5-6 rushers, 4 rushers and dropping 7 is not going to do it. Aggression creates turnovers and the defense must attack. This is the best defense by far Clemson has played all year. Yes playing this style will yield some big plays for Clemson but hopefully the same for ND’s defense.
Go IRISH
Clemson has the best rushing attack in the country. I know you want to rattle the freshman QB but if you don't focus on stopping the run we're going to get throttled. The obvious game plan would be to first neutralize their strength (running game) and then expose their weakness (find creative ways to put pressure on freshman QB without relying on the blitz).
I'm not as worried about moving the ball on Clemson's D, especially through the air, as I am stopping their running game. Can't wait!
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Clemson's offense hasn't played anyone ranked higher than #55 in Total D since week 4. In their 11 games against FBS competition, here are the stats of the teams they've played:
Avg Rush Defense Rank: 67 (Median - 63)
Avg Pass Defense Rank: 84 (Median - 96)
Avg Total Defense Rank: 78 (Median - 80)
Their D is legit...but they haven't played a solid O since NC State in October. They've been playing a bunch of also-rans since then.
Statistically we match up very well
But then, they have played teams that were either missing their best players, South Carolina or teams that were undermanned - Furman, Georgia Southern....