Clemson vs. Syracuse Matchup of the Week

• By Keith Grabowski

This weeCoachesClinic.com Featured Match-up -up takes us to the ACC in a battle between two top-ranked teams.  One is a usual suspect, and the other is an unexpected challenger.

Let’s dig into #14 Syracuse at #5 Clemson.  We feature five coaches from our clinics and the coaching points which could be key to this game. 

#5.) Clemson

Clemson has bounced between #4 and #5 in recent weeks, and this is a must-win for them to return to the CFB Playoff. We featured Clemson early in the season in what was a win over now #13 Wake Forest.

The offense and the defense have settled in under the new coordinators.  On the offensive side of the ball, Clemson is generating 417.4 yards per game and is #21 in scoring at 38.6 points per game.  

Coach Streeter utilizes all the tools in his attack building around concepts like misdirection and RPO.  The overriding concept is to create space for his players.  Coach Streeter shows some examples of how they do it here

DC Wes Goodwin has the tall task of defending some explosive offenses in the ACC and has held opponents to a respectable 338.0 yards per game and 19.71 points per game.

One aspect of their defense is their Hot pressure package which is a 6-man pressure with 2-under 3-deep behind.  These blitzes eat up the back, but Coach Goodwin especially likes these on run downs win they attack the middle like his pressure called “Texas” (click on image for video):

Whether it’s used to stop the run or the pass, pressure can be an effective tool to stop Syracuse’s efficient attack.

#14) Syracuse

Syracuse has been a surprise for many this season as they play efficient offense and sound defense.

The offense averages 431 yards per game and 36 points per game.  With an efficient passing attack and relatively balanced offense, generating explosive plays will be important in overcoming the Clemson defense. Coach Babers explains his thought process of finding the weakest link (click on image for video):

On the defensive side, defensive coordinator Tony White will have to heat up the Tiger’s offense and force bad decisions and create big plays.  Certainly, the Syracuse blitz package will come into play.  Coach White explains one of their balanced blitzes here (click on image for video):

The defense will be counting on their line to be a force at the line of scrimmage and in putting pressure on the Clemson passing game.  Defensive line coach Chris Achuff builds an attitude and work ethic in his defensive line that allows them to excel on game day.  He explains it here (click on image for video):

This is a big game for both teams in terms of getting to the ACC Championship as well as climbing in the national rankings.

Enjoy all the games and what you are able to learn from them.

Other CoachesClinic.com matches to watch (click on link for clinic):

Iowa HC STC at #2 Ohio St DC

#7 Ole Miss OC DC DC at LSU ST ST OC OC DC

#9 UCLA DL at #10 Oregon HC ST

#20 Texas HC HC OC/OL OC/OL WR DB  ST at #11 Oklahoma State TE

#24 Mississippi State HC STC at # 6Alabama HC HC AHC OC WR

Boston College DC at #13 Wake Forest HC RB DL DB

Kansas OC OC QB GM at Baylor HC HC OC DC OL

Indiana HC OC at Rutgers HC LB

Akron HC ST at Kent State HC OC

Duke HC HC DC/DL at Miami OC OL 

Toledo OL/OC at Buffalo OC

Northern Illinois HC DB at Ohio HC OL 

UNLV LB at Notre Dame ST ST

West Virginia DB at Texas Tech HC

Northwestern HC OC DC STC OL RB WR DB DL LB at Maryland HC OL OC

Western Michigan HC OC at Miami (OH) HC

Georgia Southern HC at Old Dominion OC/QB DL 

FIU TE ST at Charlotte HC OC

North Texas HC HC at UTSA HC ST 

Hawaii OC OC ST at Colorado State QB

Texas A&M HC HC at South Carolina DB

UCF OL at East Carolina DC 

Washington TE at Cal RB