Clemson vs Wake Forest Review

Tajh Boyd celebrates Clemson's last second
victory over Wake Forest.

 
  After watching the film from yesterday's game, I have listed some positives and negatives going forward into next week's game at NC State.



Negative...

  After a week off to get healthy and become focused on Wake Forest, we all expected the Tigers to roll in Death Valley.  The game was close throughout the first half, with the Deacons using ball control to keep the ball out of the potent Clemson offense's hands.  Boyd was shaky when the offense was on the field and looked completely out of sink.  He was not going through his progressions and was completely staring down his receivers.  I still don't understand how he only threw two interceptions.  if not for 3 to 4 dropped interceptions by the Wake defense, I think we would be feeling a little less happy this Sunday afternoon.  Andre Ellington continued the trend by Tiger running backs by fumbling one away early in the third quarter.  The offense really looked like it had flashed back to some of the same problems that plagued them during the first two games.
 
  The defense was atrocious.  Tackling has been and will continue to be a problem.  I don't see this being fixed this year.  It hurt tremendously losing McDaniel, Gilcrist, Maxwell, Bowers, Jenkins, and Chavis.  Kevin Steele has not become a bad coordinator overnight.  Many fans are ready to see him hit the road after the struggles this season, but we all need to remember that Coach Steele did not sugar coat anything in the offseason.  We need to realize that this defense is very complex and the first year players have struggled a lot.  I do however think that it would be nice if Coach Steele would try to simplify some things until they are ready to produce in a more complex game plan.

Thankfully, we do have some positives to look at.

Positive...


  We are 9-1 and the ACC Atlantic Division Champions.  We finished the season with a 7-0 record at home for the first time in over a decade.  It means a lot for recruiting to be able to say that we defended our home turf in every game this year.  Before the season began, no one would have predicted a 9-1 record with the chance to get to 12 wins for the first time since 1981.
 
  The offense responded when they had to... again!  This team continues to fight and claw when things aren't going their way.  The offense has overcome 14 point deficits twice this season, and overcame an 18 point deficit twice against Maryland on the road.  Tajh Boyd turned things around after the terrible first three quarters and turned in an almost perfect fourth quarter.  He was five for five on one drive that ended in a touchdown. Boyd is a winner and he has proven that multiple times this year.  He looked to his secondary receivers and they stepped up in a tough situation minus their star receiver, Sammy Watkins.

  The defense also continues to prove that they can step up when the game depends on it.  Yes, they have made us extremely frustrated this year, but they have also come up with some very key stops at key points in the game.  The defense did not allow any points in the fourth quarter yesterday and Brandon Thompson/Rennie Moore came up with a key sack at the end of the game to put the ball back in the offense's hands for the game winning drive.

  Catman finally came through.  This kick should do wonders for Catanzaro's confidence.  To be able to pull off a long game winning field goal after missing a chip shot earlier will boost any kicker's confidence (and make the fan base breath a little easier next time they need a key field goal).

Overview

  The end result of this game should give the Tigers the confidence they need heading into the game with NC State.  State has been schizophrenic this year and we all know that everyone will be giving Clemson their best shot from here on out.  Dabo and the Tigers will be looking to continue the dominance against  and stretch their streak to 8 straight wins against the Wolfpack.