Clemson plays its first-ever road game at Cal on Friday night in a game that will provide this team with its next big test.
Freshman Tait Reynolds makes his second career start and his first away from home, as the Tigers (2-1, 1-0) look to remain unbeaten in ACC play. The Bears (2-1, 1-0) also come in unbeaten in the conference after knocking off Syracuse two weeks ago.
Reynolds showed a lot of growth in the comeback win over North Carolina, particularly in the second half. That growth will need to continue Friday night, but it won’t be easy. This Cal defense is going to try to confuse the young quarterback with some disguises pre and post-snap.
Cal safety Kingston Lopa has already picked off five passes this season, which leads the nation. He had a pick-six against the Orange. Knowing where he’s at all times will be key. Reynolds throwing multiple interceptions would be a recipe for disaster.
The Bears have played a lot of man coverage through the first three weeks, which could lead to opportunities for Reynolds to make some plays with his legs. Plays he will need to make.
However, it all starts up front with the offensive line. If last week is any indication, this unit is starting to put it together. After getting whipped by the Heels for most of the first half, this offensive line started to find its footing late in the second quarter, and then after the lengthy delay, the group absolutely controlled the line of scrimmage.
The Tigers need a repeat performance in Berkeley, seeing as we’ve now witnessed what Gideon Davidson can do when the guys up front are consistently opening lanes for him. A consistent running game would take so much pressure off of Reynolds, as he continues to grow.
Opponents are rushing for 169 yards per game and well over five yards per carry against the Bears’ defense, but those numbers are skewed, seeing as UCLA gashed that defense to the tune of 277 yards on the ground. Syracuse managed just 118 two weeks ago, while Wagner barely hit the century mark as a team.
Whether or not Clemson comes away with a win here just might come down to how well the defense plays. Cal’s offense is centered around the passing skills of quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, more so than it is on running the ball. The Bears are averaging just 107 rushing yards per game and 3.4 per carry.
Although, with as weak as Clemson’s run defense has been, there’s no way Cal doesn’t make that more of a focal point this week. Featured back Adam Mohammed is more than serviceable, and there are some veteran pieces along that offensive line, even if they’ve been inconsistent to this point.
Sagapolutele isn’t much of a threat to run the ball from the quarterback position. He’s only got six rushing attempts all season. He’s going to be looking to spread the ball around through the air, so this will be a good challenge for the retooled secondary. With Corian Gipson out, it will be interesting to see how the staff decides to handle the nickel position.
Chase Hendricks is the team’s leading receiver with 20 catches for 195 yards and two touchdown grabs. Clemson counters with Ashton Hampton, who is allowing just a 30.2 passer rating through the first three games. Fellow corner Elliot Washington Jr. is also having a strong start to the season.
As promising a player as Sagapolutele is, this Cal offense is much closer to North Carolina’s than LSU’s. If the Tigers can keep the Bears’ running game, which isn’t all that potent to begin with, under control, Clemson wins.
The Cal defensive front isn’t as talented as what the Tigers saw last week with the Heels, so maybe the running game gets going quicker than it did last week.
With a freshman quarterback making his first career road start, it will still be ugly at times, but Clemson wins the turnover margin, the run defense is just good enough, Nolan Hauser kicks two more field goals and the Tigers return home with another close, gritty win.
Clemson 27, Cal 23
Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider