As Clemson’s bye week came and passed six games have gone, and six left to go. The 4-2 Tigers have had quite a season so far, and we are taking a look at the team with a different eye. Sure, we have seen a lot over the last few games, but we will be looking at the Clemson defense, which has been the brightest spot on the team. There is plenty to be happy about for the fans on this team, and we will be taking a deep dive into what stood out to us most.
Preventing Big Plays In the Secondary
Perhaps the most plaguing struggle for the Tigers last season was the big-play factor that kept teams in the game. The secondary was banged up a lot, leading the way for inexperienced cornerbacks and safeties unable to keep the opposing offenses off the board and costing them games, most importantly against South Carolina to thwart their College Football Playoff hopes.
It has been a completely different look this season. With plenty of these players healthy again, the Tigers have done a phenomenal job of preventing the big plays, especially on third down. They lead the ACC in fewest yards allowed per game, with 261.8 yards per game.
It is also not like the Tigers have not played anybody, as they have had to go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the country, and the defense held their own. They held the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles to 311 yards in their loss in September, where the Seminoles are a team that averages over 430 yards per game. Then again, this game also featured an overtime slate, so the regulation phase would have featured less yards.
Since the first loss at Duke, where the game did not fall in the right places for Clemson on all aspects of the field, the defense has been elite in stopping those big plays, which are going to be essential with games against Miami, North Carolina and South Carolina all proving to be big tests for this Tiger defense.
Stopping the run has worked greatly as of late
Again, after the loss to the Blue Devils, the defensive adjustments have proven to be working as the Tigers’ opponents have been unable to run the ball.
Clemson has stuffed their ACC opponents on the ground, with their last three ACC opponents, Florida State, Syracuse, and Wake Forest, only allowing just over 200 yards collectively through those three games. Clemson has outrun their opponents throughout the first six games by a differential of 1129-518. That isn’t just crediting the offensive rush, but it is also crediting the defensive front to blow up the play and force the opponents to pass the ball.
Swinney and his team have his hands full next weekend with Miami when it comes to the rushing attack, however. The Hurricanes lead the conference in rushing yards per game at 211 per game. However, if Wes Goodwin and his defense are capable of stopping the rushing attack of Miami, the Tigers will have a great chance of continuing to string wins together.
The freshmen are dominant
The future for the Clemson defense is bright. The Tigers had plenty of star power forgo the NFL Draft last season, with notable names Ruke Orhorhoro and Tyler Davis headlining the group with their final year of eligibility. Despite not getting the results that they wanted, the older group has been able to influence the freshmen that have played their first six games as a Clemson Tigers and have made waves in big-time situations.
The biggest names out of this group have been defensive linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods. Many fans expected an immediate impact out of Woods, who came into Clemson as one of the top recruits in the country and was plugged into the line immediately. However, none expected Parker to be one of the X-factors for this Clemson defense, and perhaps having an even better season than Woods. The freshman defensive end picked up ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week in Clemson’s win at Syracuse, where he had two tackles for a loss and two sacks.
The two have not recorded a start yet because a strong and experienced Clemson line, as well as the return of Tyler Davis, Justin Mascoll and Xavier Thomas. However, the two will most certainly play a vital role in seasons to come, and fans should be excited.
The Tigers have also had other freshmen on display throughout the season who have tons of potential to be the next great defensive weapons for head coach Dabo Swinney. To name a few who have made plays are Khalil Barnes, Avieon Terrell and Shelton Lewis. Overall, the contributions from these players, and the insurance that they will be playing in Death Valley for many years to come, gives fans something to be excited about.
