Is this Week the Week ?
Clemson. SC
Is this week the week that Clemson fans see the starting quarterback change in the starting depth chart ? With Saturday’s performance in Atlanta . . . has the freshman phenom Trevor Lawrence has made a great case to ascend to Tigers quarterback starting role ? This question is on a lot of Clemson football fans minds this morning as they start their week looking toward’s Saturday’s contest with Syracuse inside Memorial Stadium.
Lawrence, who was inserted into the game on the third drive , instantly infused energy and efficiency into the Clemson offense as he did his part and help direct the team to a 49-21 victory over Georgia Tech. Clemson continues to “platoon” Lawrence with starter senior Kelly Bryant, the game plan has been one of alternating these two through out the game, a plan that Clemson has implemented over the first three weeks of the season.
Later in the 2nd quarter of this game at Georgia Tech, after a third stalled drive led by Bryant, the freshman was inserted and immediately took the team downfield with his managing of the “R-P-O” (run pass option) that fuels the Clemson offense in 2018. Lawrence showed in his performance on Saturday, that he has all the tools as it was already known he had the skill set, but now add to that the road experience he needed to become the starting quarterback for this 2018 Clemson football team. Now you definitely can say the Tigers have a legitimate “QB contraversary”
Coach Dabo Swinney has always showed loyalty to his veteran players , but this is starting to play out on the field like a lot of analyst in the business of dissecting football predicted. The Uber talented Lawrence has overtaken the senior Bryant on the field with his results in games . . . with his performance on Saturday, it is hard to deny the Clemson offense looks different with the freshman at the helm.
But, the senior and his experience and the fact he took this team just a year ago to a 12-1 record and another appearance in the college football playoff cannot be understated. Add to that, the fact he was instrumental in the win at Texas A&M showing a lot of leadership and poise on the way to a 28-26 win against Texas A&M just two weeks ago. Bottom line Clemson does not leave College Station with a win if Bryant did not play like he did on that hot humid evening in the Lone Star State.
There has been no reason for Swinney to unseat Bryant, Kelly was able to maintain and run the offense with comparable results over the first three games of this young season. Bryant, showing his worth as the starter and being productive. Lawrence however just seems to run this offense with more efficiency and more of the play book and game plan can be implemented around his available skillset and arm talent.
Swinney made sure to mentioned to the media during his Sunday teleconference ,that “ No depth chart will be set tonight” alerting the gathered media that the staff was not having a knee jerk reaction after Saturday’s performance. But it is hard to deny the talent and the performance this freshman is putting out on a weekly basis. Lawrence as the second team quarterback, is currently second in the ACC with Nine Touchdown passes, and is ninth nationally in Passing efficiency as a back up.
Stay tuned as we track this story line as we interview coaches and players this week with our coverage of preparation for the Syracuse game on Saturday.
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