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Replies: 7
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Hall of Famer [22821]
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My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 7:33 AM
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First of all I have made it a habit of staying off message boards during games. Done that for over 20 years. Emotions run so high and fans post based on the last play. Talk about recency bias. So, I may read a message board during the game, just for entertainment purposes, I never post.
I watched every snap yesterday. These are my kneejerk observations (after 5 hours of sleep). In no particular order:
I was expected Clemson to win easily. I was not expecting 4 turnovers. Especially 4 unforced turnovers. None of them were great plays by the defense, just errors by the offense. (Maybe Shipley's fumble wasn't an error, but he's been hit a lot harder than that and held onto the ball.)
Last week Dabo said the defense "lost its mind." Yesterday it was DJ's turn. His two interceptions were inexcusable. He had a wide open receiver (more on that later) and underthrew him 5 yards. A decent pass and it's a completion for a long gain. A good, not even great, pass and it's a TD.
I didn't see any receivers getting separation against man defense. I saw receivers finding a seam in the zone. I saw busted coverage by the Cuse D (on that play I just mentioned, for example). But, I didn't see guys getting open. And, I didn't see DJ "throwing them open" either.
Here is my concern going forward.
1. DJ is a good QB. He is a leader. The team seems to support him. He was extremely supportive of Cade when he got pulled. But, I don't see him as a first round draft pick. I did last August.
2. WRs - Where's the alpha dog? I see a group of good receivers, but no first round draft picks. The young guys my grow into it, but they are a long way from being there. Where are the Ross's and Higgins and Renfrows?
3. I thought Streeter called a good game. Starting the game here were the possessions by Clemson:
a. 7 play TD
b. 14 play INT
c. 9 play fumble at the goal line
d. 9 play downs
e. 10 play FG.
The offense moved the ball. It wasn't the play calling that was the problem. The plays were there.
4. The defense won the game. Take away the scoop and score (which the D had no control over) and Cuse got 3 turnovers and 0 points.
a. 3 plays -1 yard.
b. 4 plays 24 yards
c. 3 plays 7 yards.
Second half possessions by Cuse: Number of plays per possession - 5, 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 7
My expectation for the rest of the season:
1. Clemson will finish 13-0 and go to the playoffs.
2. Unless the offense improves, probably a first round loss.
Still a great season. Remember back to the Bowden or Hatfield or any other coach not named Ford and ask yourself how happy would you be with a 13-1 record?
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Orange Blooded [2340]
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Re: My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 7:41 AM
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There were several patterns with separation. The first to the Tight end was one and the one the DJ5 underthrew so badly that the receiver had to stop and come back to try to catch and the pass hit the Dback.
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Hall of Famer [22821]
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Re: My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 7:44 AM
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I'm pretty sure Cuse was in a zone on that play. But, your point is well taken. DJ threw a bad pass to an open receiver. And, that wasn't the only time he did that.
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Orange Blooded [4553]
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Re: My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 7:47 AM
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That first pick got in DJs head and stuck there. Even though it was more like a punt than turnover. He held the ball entirely too long all day. That defense confuses him and it’s glaringly obvious. We got away with one, did all the things necessary to keep an underdog in the game.
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Mascot [22]
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Re: My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 8:00 AM
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Antonio Williams is making an awesome Renfrow impression. He is a baller. Agreed that we don’t have an alpha, but renfrow was never that. Hopefully Randall continues to heat up as he comes back from injury.
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All-In [33457]
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Re: My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 9:07 PM
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Good points.
I suspect that we will see, at best, close games for the remainder of the season. I think that is just what this team is going to be this season, but I am not sure why.
If Clemson wins the turnover margin, and defense is solid, then I like Clemson's chances of winning the remainder of its games.
Clemson would certainly need much better play at QB and WR to have a shot at winning a play-off game. With enough improvement at QB, I think we could even get by without an "alpha" WR. I'm not so sure that we don't have one at WR.
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Orange Blooded [4056]
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Re: My random observations about the game.
Oct 23, 2022, 9:16 PM
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Solid observations Bret. It looked to me like the defender perfectly hit Shipley's arm and the ball. He was carrying it snug. I don't think there was much he could have done to avoid that one.
Glad you came up and like all others I really enjoy your posts here.
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CU Guru [1789]
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I'd like to hear whether the first INT was actually an underthrow
Oct 23, 2022, 9:23 PM
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or a bad pattern. It looked like DJ threw an out but Ngata drifted like he was running more of a corner.
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