By Ed McGranahan.

Winning with defense can be like driving a John Deere instead of a BMW, so Clemson fans should become accustom to functionality over style until quarterback Deshaun Watson returns.

What we know today that wasn’t evident when the season began is that with Watson this team can be as productive as  it has been at any time in the Chad Morris Era.  Without him  and running back Adam Choice, tight end Jordan Leggett and center Jay Guillermo it is an offense stitched together like a patchwork quilt.

Clemson must tap the depths of the roster to maintain the momentum until some juncture later this season when at least a few of the pieces are back on the board.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett seemed indifferent when asked if he knew just how impressive Clemson’s defensive numbers were after seven games, citing a preference for avoiding distractions and keeping his eye on the prize.

“We’ll hear about it if coaches bring it up to us,” Jarrett said. “Guys are just focused on doing their job the best they can each and every week.

“At the end of the season we’ll look up and see where we are.”

Down its starting quarterback, three running backs, two offensive linemen, a receiver and a tight end since the start of August practice, No. 20 Clemson has cobbled together a four-game streak with a defense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in nine statistical categories and top 20 in another five.

“I don’t think there’s any question, when you’re dominant on defense it affects a lot of things,” head coach Dabo Swinney said. “When the strength of your team is a legitimate top 10 defense it affects you maybe on how you call some things strategically.”

The last two games in particular have been a challenge, and Clemson’s defense responded. Current seniors have an 8-1 record in games decided by seven points or less, and Swinney said this is the best defense he’s seen at Clemson.

“When you’re in crunch time you’ve got to keep your composure,” Swinney said. “We’ve been in a bunch of those situations.

“I think this is the most complete defense,” he said. “They’re fast. They’re physical. They like to play.”

Even with Vic Beasley, who this season surpassed the school record for career sacks, there are no stars. Despite the run this month, none of them have earned conference or national recognition. Players say it speaks to the depth of talent and the true amalgamation of “team.” For example, in the Boston College game Clemson was credited with 14 tackles for loss – by 13 different players.

“I said back at the beginning of the year I wanted to be the No. 1 defense in the nation,” said safety Robert Smith. “We have an
opportunity if we keep plugging, have the right mind set and don’t think that we have arrived.

“If we keep that chip on our shoulder we’ll be fine.”

All six seniors on the line are potential NFL players including Beasley, a potential first-rounder, and Jarrett, who’s come into his own this season. One NFL scout privately told Clemson coaches that Stephone Anthony was the best linebacker he’d seen this season.

“Since I’ve been at Clemson I’ve experience the worst of the worst,” Jarrett said, “and now the best of the best.”

While this team may not be a sleek and sexy one, it can finish the job.