TCI Game Day – Louisville
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net September 17, 2015

LOUISVILLE – It’s Game Day in Louisville where No. 9 Clemson battles the Cardinals in a critical Atlantic Division contest.

Location: Papa Johns Stadium

Kickoff:  7:30 PM

Television:   ESPN

2015 Record: Clemson  2-0  Louisville 0-2

ACC Record: Clemson 0-0

Series History: Clemson leads 1-0

Last Meeting:  Clemson 23 Louisville 17 in 2014

Lawson Living in Backfield

Shaq Lawson has been living in the opponents backfield and is off to a good start in the tackles for loss department.  Lawson already has 4.5 for the season after hitting double digits his first two seasons as a non-starter.

Kearse One of Nation’s Leaders

Jayron Kearse had an interception for the Tigers in the win over Appalachian State.  That was his seventh as a Tiger good enough for 16 best nationally among active players.

First Touchdown

Carlos Watkins scored his first touchdown as a Tiger with his interception return of 15 yards for Clemson’s first touchdown.  That touchdown started a 28-0 run by the Tigers in the second quarter.

Watson Continues to Shine

Deshaun Watson has been a consistent, efficient quarterback in his time at Clemson.  Last season Watson had an efficiency rating of 188.6 which was the best in the nation for QB’s with at least 125 attempts.

This season Watson is 37-48 for a .771 completion percentage.  He has 442 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.  That gives him a 184.6 efficiency rating good enough for ninth in the nation.

Defense Among Nation’s Best

Once again Clemson has one of the nation’s best defenses after the first two weeks.  Here are some of the categories where the Tigers are among the best:

  • No. 1 in completion percentage defense
  • No. 3 in passing efficiency defense
  • No. 4 in passing yards allowed per game
  • No. 7 in tackles for loss

ACC Openers

Clemson is 36-25-1 in ACC openers.  The Tigers have opened ACC play 31 times at home and 31 on the road.  But this is the fourth year in a row that Clemson has opened ACC play on the road.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 42 Louisville 20

Qualk – Clemson 27 Louisville 20

Kaila – Clemson 35 Louisvile 20

Hale – Clemson 34 Louisville 20

Ed – Clemson 31 Louisville 14