By William Qualkinbush.

For the past two weeks, Clemson’s offense has faced an enormity of questions.

Can Chad Morris thrive without so many familiar names leading the way?

How is the offensive line doing?

How will things shake out at the running back position?

When will the team play fast enough?

When will Deshaun Watson take over as the starter at quarterback?

When is Charone Peake coming back?

All of these questions—and more—pepper every member of the offensive football team at Clemson after every single practice and scrimmage. Morris has had to answer them all, on multiple occasions, over and over again.

While the Tigers’ offense answers questions constantly, members of the Clemson defense sit on the side and smile because the questions are not really being directed toward them. It seems a foregone conclusion that the unit will put together a top-notch performance in 2014, so much so that no one even cares to question it.

“We know that we haven’t done anything this year,” defensive tackle Deshawn Williams said following Saturday’s stadium scrimmage. “Last year is last year. It’s a new year, new team. We still have to work.”

Head Coach Dabo Swinney echoed the same sentiments, saying his defense still has to prove its worth on the field. As even-keel as Williams is when projecting into the future, he cannot hide his satisfaction in the way the defense—particularly in the front seven—has controlled the flow of action for much of the first two weeks of August camp.

Such dominance may not be surprising to most observers, but it is a badge of honor for Brent Venables’ unit.

“We take pride on defense not to lose in competitive situations,” Williams said with an unmistakable grin. “It’s all in fun, but when it’s that time, we want to just get after it and be nasty. We want to take care of them.”

On the other side of the ball, there is some frustration building, particularly when it comes to executing in short-yardage situations. There is some discouragement associated with the defense consistently being the victor in the trenches.

Linebacker Stephone Anthony is a major part of those victories. His satisfaction comes from the process, the day-by-day progression of the individual players comprising a defense that is riddled with expectation it is itching to meet this season.

“We’ve definitely had a good camp,” he said. “We’re all just trying to get an understanding and trying to compete and get better every day.”

Early next week, the Tigers will turn their attentions to Georgia. At that point, there will be more of a concerted effort to confront a new enemy. The looming presence of the Bulldogs will serve to unite both the satisfaction of a dominating defense and the hunger of a maturing offense.

“We’re ready to hit somebody else now,” Williams said. “We’re tired of hitting the same color.”

They may be tired of hitting their own teammates, but the smiles on the faces of the Clemson defenders after another successful Saturday scrimmage hide it well.