In looking at the game between TN and App St and comparing it to the Clemson blow out of App St from last year, there are a lot of similarities (more than there are differences).
1. Neither Clemson nor Tennessee could run against the App St Defense. Clemson averaged 3.2 yards per carry. Tennessee, 3.0.
2. App St could not score against either defense (10 points Vs Clemson, 13 Vs Tennessee).
3. App St ran the ball well against both defenses. 202 yards rushing against Clemson, 184 against Tennessee.
So, where were the differences that had Clemson blowing out App St and Tennessee barely surviving?
1. The biggest difference by far is Clemson's willingness to leave in blockers, throw it deep, and win one on one matchups (WR Vs DB). Though Tennessee successfully did it once, they didn't try it often enough to beat App St deep.
2. Clemson had an early pick 6. Where Tennessee muffed a punt early in the game, which lead to an App St score, Clemson basically did the opposite early in the game with a DL getting a pick 6. That momentum swing made a huge difference.
Just like many have stated, the offense did not look as bad on second glance, but the gameplan didn't take advantage of App St the way that it could have. I look forward to seeing a better gameplan/performance against the Hokies.
1. Neither Clemson nor Tennessee could run against the App St Defense. Clemson averaged 3.2 yards per carry. Tennessee, 3.0.
2. App St could not score against either defense (10 points Vs Clemson, 13 Vs Tennessee).
3. App St ran the ball well against both defenses. 202 yards rushing against Clemson, 184 against Tennessee.
So, where were the differences that had Clemson blowing out App St and Tennessee barely surviving?
1. The biggest difference by far is Clemson's willingness to leave in blockers, throw it deep, and win one on one matchups (WR Vs DB). Though Tennessee successfully did it once, they didn't try it often enough to beat App St deep.
2. Clemson had an early pick 6. Where Tennessee muffed a punt early in the game, which lead to an App St score, Clemson basically did the opposite early in the game with a DL getting a pick 6. That momentum swing made a huge difference.
Just like many have stated, the offense did not look as bad on second glance, but the gameplan didn't take advantage of App St the way that it could have. I look forward to seeing a better gameplan/performance against the Hokies.
