Game 2 Clemson VS Texas A&M Preview and Prediction:
#2 CLEMSON vs TEXAS A&M
SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 • 7 P.M. ET • KYLE FIELD (102,733) • COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
CLEMSON/TEXAS A&M SERIES HISTORY:
– OVERALL: Texas A&M leads series, 3-1 – HOME: Series tied, 1-1
– ROAD: Texas A&M leads, 2-0
– NEUTRAL: N/A
– LAST MEETING: Sept. 3, 2005 (25-24 W) – STREAK: Clemson, Won 1
TELEVISION: ESPN (Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor)
When Clemson has the ball:
Potential rainy night forecasted in College Station on Saturday night, Clemson will need to be sure footed and very aware of ball security should the elements indeed turn nasty. The remnants of Hurricane Florence threaten the area as it passes through dumping rain on Kyle Field for the next 2 days. With threats of potential lingering thunderstorms are also in the latest forecast for College Station thought out the day on Saturday.
Clemson will have to ensure that the run game, specifically the zone read and power scheme is working from the on set of the game to espztblish the line of scrimmage against a very active A&M front 7.
The need for starting quarterback Kelly Bryant to stretch the defense with his “legs” and running backs Etienne and company to churn out yards on the ground is imperative. With that happening, it opens up the Clemson lateral screen game with lineman pausing to read the backs and quarterback. . . before making decision to pursue laterally or up the field. That little hesitation is caused by the run game and it’s success opening the playbook for the Tigers. It is that hesitation that can create the space needed in both run and screen game to succeed.
Look for the screen game with Hunter Renfrow, Amari Rodgers, Tee Higgins along with the wide receiver corps to then come into play, with heavy doses of back shoulder fades. Look for the Tigers to attack the middle of the field between the linebacking corps and safeties.
A&M’s game one foe did not present the issues with talent and skill that the Tigers bring to Kyle Field. The Aggie defense is loaded with plenty of talent of its own, but the disparity is there and it will be evident on the field Saturday night.
The Tigers offensive success is predicated on “balance”. That balance between run and pass creates the unknown in the play calling that gives defensive coordinators fits in games like this . The Clemson offense depends on its “success” to create that. Saturday , the skill and ability to get the ball out quickly along with a successful run game will carry the Tigers on this night inside Kyle Field.
When A&M has the ball:
A&M will have basically the same challenge if Jimbo Fischer expects to create any downfield threat in the passing game with his play action schemes.
The run game for A&M sets up the pass like no other. Just as he did at FSU Jimbo Fischer likes to use the tight end and fullback as extra “hats” in the box to match up against the defensive line and line backers.
This will force defenses to change personnel and get out of their usual schemes to adjust. If A&M quarterback Kellen Mood and running back Treyvion Williams have even an iota of the success they had against Northwestern State. It could be a long evening for the guys in the white uniforms with orange trim.
Look for Mond to seek out his tight end Jace Sternburger downfield in the passing game, trying to isolate Clemson’s Line backers on the very athletic and sure handed target. If A&M can get the run game going and it allows this play action to develop and succeed. Then this one could get very interesting late in the 4th quarter.
Watch the line of scrimmage here as Clemson brings in the vaunted defensive line unit to take on a very young Aggie offensive line. If they can take the Tigers best punches here and sustain their blocks and not let this defensive line disrupt and cause negative plays. If any of this take place during this evening , A&M will have a better night than fore-casted.
Players to watch for Texas A&M:
RB #5 Treyvion Williams, QB #11 Kellen Mond, TE #81 Jace Sternburger
How we see it: We see it a slower developing game at the onset. With both teams having face over manned and inferior competition in the past week.
It is going to take the 1st quarter for these two ACC/SEC representatives to “feel each other out” . Clemson out mans this team in talent on both sides of the ball. But the unknown of how this A&M squad reacts to its first shot at a legit team is still to be seen.
A&M is very talented at running back and tight end, quarterback Kellen Mond has shown a lot of growth over the past season since being forced into action after an injury to his now back up Nick Starkel. How this team continues to react and perform under new head coach Fischer and adjust personnel wise to fit his schemes is going to be the determining factor in the Aggies offensive success moving forward.
We see the Tigers getting their feet under them and defensively able to stop the run and eliminate the quick screen game to the boundaries and forcing Mond to sit in the pocket and be accurate on down the field reads. If that is indeed how it takes place, it will be a field day for the Clemson Defensive line as they turn loose looking for Mond in the backfield .
Clemson plays it close to the vest and lets its defense eventually set the tone and rides this one out of the lone star state a winner .
Prediction: CLEMSON 31. TEXAS A&M 21
Last meeting between Clemson and Texas Am was in Clemson in 2005:
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