Progress Report

Its that time of year again. The leaves are beginning to change...the days are getting shorter...the temperature is dropping and, if you're a student, its that dreaded time of the year when midterms roll around. And while this is the first time in a quite a long time I haven't had to worry about any exams I remember the stress it caused and anxiety as you waited for grades to come in and see just how good (or bad) things were going at the midway point.  Although I'm no teacher, today I will be giving out grades for Clemson as they approach the midway point of their 2014 season. While the Tigers have looked great in some areas, others could use some more work as we move forward. Although that goal of a "4.0 GPA" may be out of reach for the Tigers they can still make this another special year in Tigertown. An ACC Championship isn't likely but another 10 win season including a long overdue win over arch rival South Carolina and a return trip to the Orange Bowl is still on the table. There is still plenty to play for despite the rough start and the good thing is that the hardest part is behind them. They cleared another big hurdle Saturday against the Cardinals and if they can do the same this weekend up in Chestnut Hill against the Boston College Eagles, going 10-2 regular season becomes even more likely as the road becomes much easier. Syracuse for homecoming, bye week, Wake Forest on the road (Thursday night) Georgia Tech on the road, Georgia State at home followed by the season finale in Death Valley against the Gamecocks. But they have to take it one game at a time...the next game is always your biggest game. As for today, its time to hand out the progress report for Clemson.

Offense 

Deshaun Watson has provided a spark for the Clemson offense and in just two games as a starter has caught the attention of the entire nation. The Tiger offense took a step back Saturday and were held scoreless despite two trips down near the goal line against Lousiville's top ranked defense. While the Tigers are ranked 38th overall as far as offensive production they seem to fold when they get into the red zone...ranking 110th out of 125 teams. (ouch!) There is reason for optimism, though. On offense this team is young and will only get better with time. Watson is special and we've seen flashes of greatness out of  guys like Mike Williams, Adam Choice and Artavis Scott. We've yet to see anyone really pull away from the pack in the backfield or running game in general but there have been signs of improvement there. Many were worried about how effective Clemson would be this year without the services of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins and while they have been missed...the Tigers haven't wavered from they like to do and have found ways to put points on the board. While play calling has been very questionable at times so far this year, the Tigers have still been able to sneak in a few of those "homerun" plays we have grown used to seeing with the likes of Spiller, Hopkins and Watkins. Overall I would have to say the offense is good but not great...not yet. Injuries and inexperience upfront have not made the transition any easier but outside of the 4th quarter in Athens and the red zone woes, Clemson's offense has been just as dangerous (at times) as last season. It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks go with Watson on the sidelines and Stoudt back in the starting role but an "A" grade here is definitely possible at the season's end if the Tigers can stay healthy from here on out and find ways to finish drives with touchdowns once they get into the red zone. 

Grade: C+

Defense 

You just can't say enough about this defense. For the most part this group has lived up to every bit of the hype entering this season and according to the NCAA official site are ranked as the #6 defense in the country including #2 in terms of tackles for loss and #3 on third down. In their last game this weekend against Louisville the Tigers held the Cards to just 52 yards rushing and allowed only 1 third down conversion on 17 attempts. Yeah...that'll help out the ole' average a bit. The Tigers ran out of steam in the first game in Athens but outside of that game, a busted play allowing a game-tying touchdown in Tallahassee and a lazy fourth quarter effort against North Carolina, the Tiger defense has been dominant and has answered the call time and time again this season. Maybe none bigger than the goal-line stop at the end of the game Saturday night in Death Valley. I always grew up hearing about how Clemson used to be known for its great defenses and the likes of the Perry Brothers, Brian Dawkins, and Jeff Davis so its great to be around to see a defense that will go down as one of the best groups to ever wear the Orange and White. I can't ever remember a time where the Clemson defense had touchdowns in back-to-back games. The guys are playing smash-mouth football out there and you can tell they are out there having fun. Its nice to know we don't have to score 50 points a game this season to be comfortable that we can win. All that being said, there is always room for improvement. The Tigers dodged a bullet Saturday night when they allowed Louisville to nearly steal the game with a 73 yard pass from Gardner to James Quick, who rushed down the Clemson sideline in the final seconds of the game before being chased down by Safety Jayron Kearse. That was the only chunk yardage play of the game for them and nearly cost them everything. All in All there are not many defenses better than Clemson right now. 

Grade: A

Special Teams 

If there was a mid season award for most improved, the special teams unit would have to be the clear winner. After a rough start including missed FG's and giving up a 100 yard kick off return to Todd Gurley in Athens in the season opener, the Tigers are not only kicking better but doing much better on coverage and even had a special teams touchdown last week via Adam Humphries' 72 yard punt return early in the first quarter against Louisville. If you had told me after the NC State game that we would win against Louisville because of defense and special teams I probably would have laughed in your face. However, Bradley Pinion continues to impress on kickoffs and punts and Ammon Lakip's confidence seems to be as high as ever and he seems to have found his groove and has become dependable for the Tigers in the past three weeks after a very rough start to the season. It was really nice to see Clemson overcome their offensive struggles and find a way to win the game with a big special teams play and another defensive touchdown. Wins like Saturday separate the good teams from the great and anytime you are at home you have to find a way to win those close, down-to-the-wire contest and defend your home field. Clemson fans also deserve an assist for Saturday's win as they kept the volume turned on high all afternoon. I saw a video from someone affiliated with Louisville behind the end zone recording the final play at the goal-line and you could feel the electricity in the air from the fans and just how loud it was on the field. Deafening loud....or as we like to call it, CLEMSON LOUD.

Grade: B

Overall 

While I understand the frustration of fans and players at this time and how we all wish that we had played UGA and FSU a few weeks later in the season, this team has done what has been expected of them. I'm proud of the way this team has battled so far this year and while I'm still disappointed we let the one in Tallahassee get away from us there is no doubt this is a special team that should be happy by the time bowl season rolls around. If the Tigers can stay healthy, especially on the offensive line and stay focused taking things one game at a time there is really no reason why they shouldn't be 10-2 at the end of November. They will be favored in every remaining game and get the Gamecocks at home to end the season. The defense is playing lights out and despite the loss of Watson for the next few weeks I think the offense will be just fine and will continue to do what they do best and hopefully get the running game going more and more as we head down the stretch. Overall this team is in a good position...one that most would like to be in and are equipped to finish this season winning 9 games in a row. This is a really good football team and when they are at their best are Top 15 worthy. While the polls haven't done them any favors so far things will fall into place and handle themselves when you keep winning. Al Davis said it best....just win, baby.  

Grade: B