Toggle sidebar

How important is Clemson's OL play?

J

jps1983

Hall of Fame
Aug 30, 2006
7,459
0
0
I was watching College Football Live and the commentators mentioned the fact that Clemson has 4 new starters on their OL, but still picked Clemson to win b/c of the offensive weapons they have.

When discussing Michigan vs. Utah, they picked Utah b/c Michigan's starting OL only has 16 combined starts b/t all 5 players. It seems like a big discrepancy b/t the two picks. Now I know what the commentators say is insignificant when it comes to the actual game, but I was wondering from people who played/ coached a lot of football, how important is a good OL? I know we've had struggles with ours (obviously) in the past few years and our offense couldn't get anything done.
 
I totally agree with CapstoneGrad. Everything starts with the Offensive Line. If theirs is porus, we will stuff the run and hurry the passer.

I think the main reason I am optimistic about this game is because of the strength of our OL and the inexperience of theirs. With Cody in the middle, taking up two of their blockers on every play and still making tackles, we should have an excellent chance to minimize their principal weapons: the two running backs.

With John Parker getting time to throw, and with Julio drawing double coverage deep, we should be able to maximize the dink and dunk passes and move the chains. When that starts to work, the running game will open up.

All of that is predicated on our OL being strong and theirs, not...:BigA:
 
jps1983 said:
I but still picked Clemson to win b/c of the offensive weapons they have.
I thinkthis right here is why they are sying it. They do have the weapons. There is no denying that. Their OL doesn't have to be great, just decent. Bama needs to contain Spiller and Davis. It won't take much for either of them to break one. I don't see Bama stopping them, but they can slow them down. If they will do that, Bama will make this game close.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I think it is one of the biggest keys to the game. If our front can stuff holes and push their young, inexperience line back on their heels they won't run the ball as effectively. I really want to see Mt. Cody mow some people over. And I think the strength of our D is our secondary and I believe we really match up well with Clemson. That's why I'm so excited and optimistic for this first game! And likewise if Coffee/Grant/Ingram are able to get 150+ yards I think we win.
 
I'm curious as to how much this fact will impact: Clemson's only returning starter is the Center. I think the Center is the most important position on the OL, typically making the blocking calls. If their Center were new I would expect real problems. As it is now their most experienced player will have Mt. Cody lining up over him. I still think we will have an advantage due to their inexperienced line, but the advantage would be greater if the Center were new.
 
clemson OL is inexperienced, but overall they are considered more talented than predecessors. Last years line was solid but not great, and struggled to run when teams keying on the run. This year's group has more potential...hopefully they won't realize it until next week.

If clemson's OL doesn't perform, Bama will win IMO. If they just perform average or better it will be tough as clemson is loaded at every other offensive position. Harper is very good when running game is clicking, but not nearly as effective when the game is on his shoulders.
 
think back 2 yrs ago about our O-line. We couldn't keep anyone out of our backfield. Ken Darby was poised to have a great season but never amounted to much bc there wasn't ever any time or holes for him to run in. If Bama's D-line can get into their backfield and disrupt timing, we win. If they are unable to get any pressure without bringing extra men into the box, we lose. I have a good feeling about tomorrow night.
 
my prediction is that we will know the outcome of the game by the end of the first clemson offensive series. if their o-line is good then they will beat us. simple is that.
 
gmart74 said:
my prediction is that we will know the outcome of the game by the end of the first clemson offensive series. if their o-line is good then they will beat us. simple is that.
Click to expand...

AW come on now Gmart. You gone give up that easy? You don't have enough confidence that something could go right for us after the first series? If their OL is "good" I'm hoping Saban can make adjustments.

Bama 28
CU 17
 
Davis and Spiller were expected to be the nation's top backfield tandem after outstanding 2006 campaigns, but both saw a decline in their production last season. Davis' average dropped from 5.8 to 5.0 yards per carry, and he scored 10 touchdowns after running for 17 in 2006. Spiller's drop-off was worse -- he averaged 5.3 yards as a sophomore as opposed to 7.3 as a freshman, and scored just three touchdowns after having 10 the year before.
Click to expand...

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=282430228

I found this interesting. And to think they are going to be running behind a more inexperienced OL than last season. I smell an "upset" and a sports illustrated cover next week. :biggrin:
 
I'm really confident in us vs the run. But I still have my doubts about how much pressure we'll get on the QB (understandably I'd say, though I know there's a chance we could dominate their line, none of our guys have actually proven it). And I have doubts about how we do vs the pass with our linebackers over the middle, and they love short routes too.

I guess my biggest concern is about giving up big plays in our defense. And offensively if our O line plays up to its level and potential. Then if they don't, will JP only focus on one receiver like last year under pressure and short arm throws?

Ideal scenario is that things go as matchups say. Our O line is dominant because its just great and talented (no matter how good their D line may be, and its not dominant). JP is a senior and acts like it and our depth and talent at receiver makes plays along with the talent at RB. Our DL plays well vs their poor OL and secondary is one of the best in the league. Cody/Chapman and really our talented ends stop the rush along with our LBs that are geared more towards being run stoppers. All that happens, and I say we win running away (not to mention the big coaching edge). It just rarely does work out that way, yet sometimes players play to their potential and matchups speak volumes.

I haven't been more amped to see a game since...well I guess Georgia last year. I think its the fact that we could come out and look like a team that can win the West or look like last year's team is just extremely intriguing.
 
Last edited:
NiteyNight said:
think back 2 yrs ago about our O-line. We couldn't keep anyone out of our backfield. Ken Darby was poised to have a great season but never amounted to much bc there wasn't ever any time or holes for him to run in. If Bama's D-line can get into their backfield and disrupt timing, we win. If they are unable to get any pressure without bringing extra men into the box, we lose. I have a good feeling about tomorrow night.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking of and made me wonder why the analysts said the same thing for 2 different games (Michigan and Clemson have little experience on OL) and yet came to different predictions. Clemson definitely has more playmakers than Michigan, and I guess that can somewhat explain the discrepancy in picks. I also remember (in my nightmares) Brodie and the AU game.
 
My biggest and ONLY fear for tomorrow night is our OL. I fear that when the game starts the OL is going to get stoned in run blocking, making our running game non existent and the right side gets caved in on passing downs.

If this happens I think I am going to just tell my wife to go get my .45 automatic and empty the clip on me. :biggrin:
 
Better hope SavannahDare doesn't see this, she'll shrink yo head!!!!
Bamabuzzard said:
My biggest and ONLY fear for tomorrow night is our OL. I fear that when the game starts the OL is going to get stoned in run blocking, making our running game non existent and the right side gets caved in on passing downs.

If this happens I think I am going to just tell my wife to go get my .45 automatic and empty the clip on me. :biggrin:
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Posts

Advertisement

Trending content

Advertisement

Latest threads

Top Bottom
Back