CLEMSON — Clemson’s game plan against Troy this week is simple – it has to make the plays that are there.

It is something the eighth-ranked Tigers did not do very well in their loss to now No. 3 LSU last week. Quarterback Cade Klubnik passed on opener wide receivers that could have gone for big plays, the offensive line missed blocks or did not follow their assignments, the wide receivers dropped too many passes and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley gave up on the running game way too early.

“We just have to make the plays that are there,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “It is easy stuff. It is nothing complicated. We just did not do the routine stuff well, and the biggest issue in that game is that our best player did not play well.

“If that is the biggest issue coming out of that game, then sign me up for that because (Klubnik) will respond. Promise you.”

Troy at No. 8 Clemson

• Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
• TV: ACCN
• Spread: Clemson 33.5 points
• Over/Under: 51.5 points
• Series: Clemson leads the series 2-0

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Clemson definitely can’t afford to lose, that’s for sure, or we are talking about something more than playoff and ACC Championships races. More than anything, the Tigers need to win and they need to win pretty. In other words, they need to cover the spread, run the football, stop the run and make a few splash plays along the way.

KEY MATCHUP

Troy running back Tae Meadows rushed for 186 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in the Trojans opening game win over Nicholls State. It is obvious what Troy is going to do. It wants to run the football. Last week, Clemson did a good job shutting down LSU’s run game, as the Bayou Bengals recorded just 108 yards, and that included 24 yards on the first play of the game. The Tigers need to show that same tenacity at stopping the run this week, though I suspect Troy to try a similar approach to LSU, using the short passing game to limit Clemson’s strong pass rush. The difference, however, is Troy doesn’t have the same kind of wide receivers that LSU had.

You know, the ones that can blow past people.                                                            

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clemson needs to give the ball to Adam Randall. He needs the experience, and he needs the touches so he can get into a rhythm at running back. He had just five carries for 16 yards last week and did not touch the ball, nor did any running back, after the first play of the second half when he rumbled for a six-yard gain.

With Clemson keying on Meadows and the Troy running game, quarterback Goose Crowder will be called on to produce at a high level for the Trojans. Last week, he threw three touchdowns to lead Troy back from a 17-10 fourth quarter deficit. The Trojans scored 28 fourth-quarter points for a 38-20 win. Crowder completed 14 of 24 passes for 144 yards to go with his three touchdowns.

THIS AND THAT

Clemson is 12-0 all-time vs. Sun Belt Conference teams.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Clemson’s defense should be able to make Troy one dimensional, which should give the offense plenty of opportunities to score. The question is can they. Last week, Klubnik looked bad. Riley did not call a good game. The offensive line play was horrible, and the wide receivers dropped too many passes. One thing is for sure, if the offense does not play well this week, practice is going to be even more hell next week.

Prediction

Clemson 52, Troy 10