CLEMSON – Following the matchup with Syracuse, we dug into the analytics at the running back position. Given Clemson’s dilemma with splitting snaps between Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, it was interesting to see the latter dominated a majority of the metrics.

Now looking at the Wake Forest game, these numbers were more evident of the discrepancy in the backfield. Let me start with this: Shipley was a large reason the Tigers won in the end because of his one-man touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Let’s compare the numbers now from PFF’s advanced metrics.

Phil Mafah

83.7 rushing grade

63.5 breakaway percentage

3.22 yards after contact/rush

128.9 elusiveness rating

Will Shipley

68.5 rushing grade

40.2 breakaway percentage

2.05 yards after contact/rush

10.3 elusiveness rating

One number I want to focus on here is the elusiveness rating. It’s PFF’s metric to rate how a rusher performs independent from everything going on around him. It’s not a perfect formula, but being ranked No. 179 in the country for that stat in Week 6 is concerning.

On the other hand. Mafah’s 128.9 was his second-best of the season and higher than all of Shipley’s performances in ACC play. Shipley had much more responsibilities in this game with double the carries, and that early fumble was credited to quarterback Cade Klubnik so that didn’t influence his grades.

I’ll say it again: it doesn’t have to be every week, but believe in the hot hand when it’s working because Mafah is the breakaway threat for this team. There’s no reason for him to get less than half of Shipley’s touches.