Through the first three games of the season, 11th-ranked Clemson has not had the opportunity to throw the ball deep. Why?
Wofford, App State and Louisville in most occasions played eight men in coverage and forced the Tigers to nickel-and-dime their way down the field. The Tigers executed well enough to win all three games, while averaging 36.7 points and 442.0 yards per game.
But odds are Clemson will not see too much zone coverage when its hosts No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday in Death Valley. Despite giving up more than 200 yards a game through the air, the Irish like to run a lot of press-man, which has co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, a former wide receiver at Clemson, a little excited.
“As a receiver, that is what you want,” he said. “You want to be challenged, but at the end of the day, you still have to go make the play. When you watch them, they’re very similar to what we go against every day in practice with Mackensie (Alexander) and those guys.
“In practice, for us to succeed, it comes down to making the competitive plays. So yes, you would like to see man coverage because it gives you an opportunity because if there is a breakdown in technique you could have a big play.”
Notre Dame (4-0) has the propensity to give up big plays in the secondary. Notre Dame ranks 55th nationally in passing yards allowed at 203.8 yards per game, while opponents are completing 52.6 percent of their passes for five touchdowns and just one interception.
The Irish have allowed eight passes of 25 or more yards in four games. In contrast, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has completed eight passes of 25 or more yards and that’s with defenses trying to keep everything in front.
“We are going to have to make plays, of course,” Watson said. “They have great guys in the secondary. That’s what this offense is about … making plays and finding a weakness. That’s what we are looking forward to on Saturday, take the chances and try to capitalize on them.”
The Irish secondary is led by senior safety Elijah Shumate, junior safety Max Redfield and junior cornerbacks KeiVarae Russell and Cole Luke.
“They do a great job of disguising (their looks). They are very athletic and fast,” Watson said. “But we see that every day in practice. It is not going to be overwhelming or a shock to us. We just have to go out there and do our jobs and everything is going to be fine.”