I won't give you many stats, because at this point in the season they don't mean a whole lot. Clemson played a I-AA team who ran the ball 95% of the time, so of course their rushing defense stats look awful. Maybe it is bad, maybe it isn't? We'll see as the year goes on. As for Auburn, they lost every statistical category the first two Saturdays and are 2-0. Thus the reason I am not a big stat guy. Just win baby!
With that said, this is such an interesting game. Both these teams are so inexperienced. Auburn only brings back three starters on O and three starters on D. Auburn now has a 17 game winning streak, so I think they are coming in with the feeling we can and will do whatever it takes to win. On the opposite side of the ball is a program going on at least 13 years of rarely winning close games. I think if Clemson wins it will be a ten to twenty point win. I am not predicting that but it is possible with how bad Auburn's defense has looked the first two weeks. It would be great for Clemson to get a close game win and get the ever growing Gorilla of their back.
I feel like it didn't always used to be this way, but right now QB is everything. They have always been very important, but it seems right now with the complexity increasing and the speed of the game always getting faster the QB's ability to run the team is so crucial. I did awful in my NFL picks last week and this week I just picked the team with the better QB. It's gotten to the point where it doesn't matter where the game is played or who is hurt or who is coaching, the team with the better QB is going to win 90% of the time. Sooooo, my point is welcome to the Tahj Boyd era. Those first two games were nice warmups and maybe Troy has a better d than Auburn? We can hope, but it is time for big boy football. He has looked very good on some throws, but against Wofford threw three balls an SEC defense will most likely pick off. He also looks at his first receiver and then tucks and runs, which will get him hit A LOT on Saturday. He is only a Soph so I understand he is still learning, but it will be a big test.
Special teams will also be a factor as it is always in evenly matched games. Not been a good start for Clemson in that regard and a team like Auburn who gets out played and still wins is a dangerous team on special teams.
Next 10 games will define Clemson for a long time. Win 7-10 of them and you bring in another top 10 recruiting class and maybe Dabo is the guy. Win 3-6 of them and you are looking for a new head coach and lose all the recruiting momentum. With 10-12 wins overall maybe the SEC comes calling? Who knows?
Auburn 34 Clemson 31, but of course I hope otherwise.
You're right about the 3-6 wins and a search for a new coach. Dabo is no Tommy Bowden. Bowden would lose this Aub game in the final seconds with bad special teams then somehow beat FSU the following week. I told you when you fired him that you're gonna end up missing the Tommy Bowden days of being somewhat mediocre
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