#1 Clemson enters week four 3-0 (2-0 ACC) as they return home to the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium otherwise know by opponents as “Death Valley”. Dabo Swinney and his squad look to roll over the 49’ers from up the road in Charlotte. After a resounding 41-6 victory over Syracuse, the Tigers who are under all the national media’s proverbial microscope continue to be scrutinized not about winning but how they have gone about it. Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence being the target all the pundits have set their eyes on 3 games into the season looking for any reason to call out the Tiger’s signal caller for any minute detail that shows inconsistency of any sort.
Clemson comes in looking to make a statement and leave no doubt against the 49’ers. The Tigers look to roll on Saturday. Swinney and staff should let the proverbial “Cat out of the Bag” on Saturday night as we think they will look to open the playbook a little and show a little more of the offense they installed over fall camp. Consistency has been the rallying call coming out of the Clemson practices all week. The multi faceted offense has been able to use their advanced skill set to adjust as needed so far in the young season. Defense stopping the run ….Tigers break out the Screen and Quick pass game. Defense tries to take away timing routes….Tigers take advantage of the run game. But so far in 2019 the Tigers have yet to put a complete and “balanced” attack on the gridiron for 60 minutes. It’s either or and not both so far.. Consistent and balanced offensive drives are the Tigers goal for this one.
The 49’ers come into this contest at 2-1 overall with a loss to Appalachian State in a barn burner 56-41. Coach Will Healy and his staff know they are coming in huge underdogs in this one. As much as -42 a some Vegas online football lines. They employ a spread on offense that like Clemson utilizes skill and ability to read defenses and take advantage of mismatches. Problem here is Clemson is one of the very few teams they will see where they lose almost every head to head match up across the rosters.
When Clemson is on Defense: One thing the Charlotte team does very well is run the zone read and running back Benny Lemay rushing for 1279 yards last season, the senior 49er back is a load at 5’9 and 220 plus pounds. Clemson defense will have to a better job of “wrapping up” then they have in the past 3 weeks. Or Lemay will make you pay for it with a quick burst through the line and next thing you know he’s 10 yards down the field into the second level of the dense.
The 49’ers passing game is much like Clemson’s looking to find mismatches and use their playmakers to find creases in the Tigers pass coverage. Look for a lot of QB runs in this “Spread Option” attack that coach Healy likes to employ. Zone read concepts will rule the day for this offense. As they look to create small creases for this run game to flourish. A young Clemson DL and an experienced back end. Look for Brent Venables to confuse the QB’s and send blitz packages from all angles and areas of the defense. Status quo of the past three week the frenetic attacking style that has been employed this season will continue to wreak havoc on this night. Bottom line Charlotte will score but it will be far between scores and too few to matter . Clemson will empty the benches with personnel on the field late and there UNCC may find some working room but by then it’s all said and done.
When Clemson has the Ball:
Consistency.. Consistency… “Balance” these are the words of the day for the Tigers. The staff all week long as we spoke with them reiterated those words over and over. The Tigers so far in 3 games have yet to put together “complete” and “Balanced” game so far. With dropped passes, penalties on big plays, and just not able to find their proverbial “rythym” so far here in 2019. The Tigers will be looking on this date against this particular opponent for just that…”consistency”
Trevor Lawrence and his squad of uber talented team mates have been under scrutiny since before the season began and it’s only gotten worse. You would think with 3 wins over power 5 teams and the resounding way in which they have dominated each opponent. The Tigers would be showered with praise.. But its been the opposite with scrutiny and analyzation to the point of almost being absurd.
Look for the Tigers to open up the playbook here in Game 4. Early and often we think the Tigers will go to areas of the field in the passing game they have yet to take advantage of so far. IE: Look for two particular players to have a big night. Tight End JC Chalk will finally be introduced to the Clemson passing game on this night with more than a conscious effort to get him the ball. Also keep your eye on Slot WR Deondre Overton as we think he’s a guy that really steps up on this night. Clemson will open up the offense on this night and the Tigers will score at will and leave no doubt as they planned upon when they entered the stadium and ran down the Hill.
Special Teams:
Clemson:
BT Potter (K): Potter is 4 for 6 for the year with a long of 51 yards . 15/15 XP’s Kickoffs 16/18 have been touchbacks.
Will Spiers(P): Will has punted 13 times for a 40.9 average and downed 2 inside the 20, and one Punt for 50 plus this season.
UNC Charlotte:
John Cruz (K): XP’s 17/18 …FG’s1/1 for 53 yards . 50% kickoff Touchback rate (8/16)
Conner Bowler(P): 10 punts for 45 yard average. With a long of 59 yards
Prediction:
Clemson 52 UNC Charlotte 13
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