By Ed McGranahan, Robert MacRae, Will Vandervort, Hale McGranahan, William Qualkinbush.
The TCI staff of Ed McGranahan, Hale McGranahan, Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Robert MacRae go Around the Horn to answer some of the questions surrounding Clemson athletics and college football.
What is most to blame for Clemson’s running struggles: OL, RB’s or coaching?
Robert MacRae: “All three have an impact on the struggles. First right now Clemson does not have an elite running back. Adam Choice may be that back, but he was limited due to injury last week. We will learn more in the next few games if he is the back they have been needing to improve the running game.
There are certainly concerns on the offensive line. The lack of depth has been well documented because of the injuries and attrition. The OL did play well at Florida State so they can get the job done. They just haven’t done it consistently.
Coaching is also part of the problem. Coach Morris has been stubborn about the running game this year. He and Dabo have both admitted as much. The thought it that the Tigers must have a strong running game to setup the rest of the offense. I believe they should use the pass and their strengths more and that will lead to a better running game.”
William Qualkinbush: “The easy answer is a combination of both. However, I do think a lack of continuity on the offensive line is the main culprit here. I’m not even going to pin the blame solely on a lack of talent. If five guys are in the trenches consistently, the whole will begin to perform better than the sum of the parts. Chemistry is a major, major key there. But none of the positions on the line seem settled, and we’re one-third of the way through the season. Obvious answers at guard have had to switch over to tackle due to a lack of depth, which has thinned out the line all over the place. There simply aren’t enough holes for backs to run through, and that’s on the offensive line. Unless a handful of guys take significant steps forward, this may be an issue that continues throughout this season.”
Will Vandervort: “I blame it on the running backs. Yes, the offensive line isn’t any good, but when was the last time Clemson had a good offensive line? This offensive line is no different than last year’s unit. Yes, they cannot get a big enough push, but we all know as a group these guys are not known for that. So what’s the difference between last year’s running game and this year’s? Roderick McDowell. Hot Rod knew how to recognize a hole, even if it was a small one. He would take a little sliver and make it into a five-yard gain. This year’s group due to either experience or lack of talent does not seem to have the ability to do it or recognize that. Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris said it best the other day, “The running backs have to step up.” Someone needs to show they can take a small hole and get a few yards. To not have a running back run for 20 yards on a single play after four games is ridiculous.“
Hale McGranahan: “Anytime an offense is averaging 3.1 yards per carry, there’s more than one somebody that isn’t doing something right. To me, all three parties share the “blame” for the issues Clemson has had running the ball this season. ”
Ed McGranahan: “Ultimately it comes back to the coaches, beginning with who they recruited, but it’s not an easy answer. Though we haven’t much evidence, Dye, Choice and Gallman could all become very productive. With a quarterback of Watson’s skill and precocious savvy the run should become a more evident part of the Clemson offense. Few teams will sell out to stop the run after what Watson did to UNC. But Morris and Swinney want a line that pushes back, and that’s not happened much against better teams. Swinney admitted he was probably a bit stubborn against North Carolina, and Morris promised the offense should take several steps forward by loosening the reings on Watson. For more on the topic, see my story Saturday morning.”