Coming off an open date, Clemson will return to the field on Saturday as the Tigers host Charleston Southern.
This marks just the second time these two teams have faced one another, with Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC) winning 66-17 in 2023. The Buccaneers (3-3, 0-2) come if fresh off a 49-39 win over SC State.
The Tigers, who come in as more than a 40-point favorite, are 41-0 all-time against FCS competition since the NCAA split Division 1 in 1978.
5 Things to Watch For
1. It All Starts Up Front: Clemson’s offensive line struggles have been well publicized, but this is a game in which this unit should win the battle at the point of attack. In other words, this should serve as a confidence builder.
Easton Ware has been slotted in at right guard to try and help shore up what has arguably been the weakest link up front through the first five games. After missing all of last season with a shoulder injury, Ware made his first career start against LSU, but that was at right tackle. With Ronan O’Connell and Grant Wise struggling mightily at right guard against fourth-ranked Miami, Ware was inserted late in the first half, and played fairly well. Based off that performance, this should be an upgrade there.
Dabo Swinney revealed earlier this week that the original plan was for Ware to possibly start at guard, but after Collin Sadler was injured during camp, the sophomore had to move outside in his absence.
It also wouldn’t be all that surprising to see the staff give someone else a look at right tackle. Maybe not to start the game, but at some point. Sadler has been fairly inconsistent. Elyjah Thurmon is a possible candidate. If that were to happen, the question becomes, would Sadler just move insider, or would someone else play at guard. Gavin Blanchard played at left guard in Thurmon’s place while he was out with an injury.
Either way, this game should give the staff a chance to do some experiement with some things up front along the offensive line. If this team wants to have a strong finish, they’ve got to find answers up front before conference play ramps back up.
2. All Eyes On Tait: Most would probably agree, that even in defeat, Tait Reynolds took a major jump against Miami. The freshman signal caller showed a lot of moxie in that, despite taking some kind of beating due to the leaky pass protection.
This Charleston Southern defense should provide the young quarterback with a chance to take another step. Possibly even a big one.
The downfield passing attack still needs to fully find its footing and guys like Bryant Wesco, T.J. Moore and Tyler Brown should have no problem creating separation against that secondary. Assuming the offensive line can keep him upright, Reynolds should have opportunities down the field.
Maybe this is the week, the tight ends get more involved downfield.
3. Get Running Game Back On Track: During its three-game winning streak, the Tigers had found a little something in Gideon Davidson and the running game. It was quickly becoming the identity of this offense. However, not only was there not much of a ground game against the Hurricanes, there didn’t seem to be a ton of effort dedicated to establishing one. Miami did just up by two touchdowns fairly quickly, but in hindsight, the run game might have been abandoned a little too quickly.
Hopefully the offense can get on track quickly, with the help of Davidson, along with Chris Johnson Jr. After that, let Jay Haynes knock off some rust.
With David Eziomume out for the season and Jarvis Green also out with an injury this week, the Tigers will be a little short on bodies this week. Haynes will be playing for the first time since tearing an ACL in the ACC Championship win over SMU in 2024. He’s had a long journey back to the field, having facerd multiple setbacks. This is the perfect example to let him have a coming out party, while ensuring neither Davidson or Johnson risk an injury once the game is decided.
4. Make Them One-Dimensional: The Bucs come in averaging just over 136 rushing yards per game. While those are not eye-popping numbers by any stretch, they’re also averaging more than four yards per carry.
Clemson needs to line up and stuff the Bucs’ running game. Hakeem Watters and Dwayne Wright carry most of the load for that offense. Watters actually comes in averaging 6.7 yards per rush.
The Tigers have been playing better up front along the defensive line of late. Kourtney Kelly is expected back and should provide a boost along the interior. This should allow him to ease his way back in.
Stop the run and make Charleston Southern quarterback Jared Echols beat you with his arm. Echols took over last week after Lek Powell was benched for ineffectiveness. Echols was 17-of-29 for 194 yards in the win over the Bulldogs. He threw three touchdowns and no interceptions.
5. Miliatary Appreciation Day: This is always a special day in Death Valley. Very few do Military Appreciation Day as well as Clemson.
This day serves as a nod to Clemson’s roots as a military school from its founding in 1889 until its move to a coeducational civilian institution in 1955. Memorial Stadium is named and dedicated in honor of Clemson alumni who have made the supreme sacrifice in service of the country, and directly behind its east end zone is the Scroll of Honor, which bears the name of nearly 500 Clemson alumni who have died during military service. The national anthem on Saturday will include a flyover by two F-15s.
– Photo courtesy of Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider