#10 Clemson returns to the Valley this weekend to take on the Louisville Cardinals (6-3) that are on a roll.
Although the Tigers have already clinched the Atlantic, they can’t cruise to the finish line. The Cardinals are not going to just lay down and let the Tigers’ presence on the field simply lead to a Clemson win. They are going to have to earn it.
QB Malik Cunningham is a top dual-threat quarterback, similar to several the Tigers have had to deal with. Clemson fared fairly well against the likes of Jordan Travis, Garrett Shrader, and Devin Leary. The type of quarterback the Tigers haven’t had success against were the in-the-pocket type passers. Cunningham is not that.
This game should be a “find that mojo” type of game. Despite having tons of talent on paper, the Tigers have yet to live up to the high expectations literally everyone had pre-season. Two new coordinators are still feeling their way, but it’s been 9 games now. The coaches have nine games of film to watch and develop a game plan. Goodwin/Streeter. NOW is that time.
Clemson fans are on edge right now. The quarterback position was thought to have been solid with DJ Uiagalelei cruising through the first seven games of the season. Something happened, and he seems a little lost the last two games. Is it his confidence level? Is it play calling? Is it that Syracuse and Notre Dame simply outcoached the Tiger staff and had their teams better prepared? Maybe a little bit of everything.
Coach Dabo Swinney had the B.Y.O.G. game several years. The Louisville game is going to be termed “W.A.Y.G.” Where are your guts. The game plan should be get the ball in the hands of Shipley and block your butts off. Sam Hartman and the Demon Deacons had SIX turnovers in the 3rd quarter against the Cardinals, so don’t think Louisville won’t be ready for this Clemson offense.
It’s time for Clemson to get back on track. It’s time for the offense to start clicking and put it all together. It’s time for the defense to start flexing and play like they want it more than the other team. It’s time.
Clemson 31 Louisville 12
