Key Matchups: Syracuse vs Clemson
Noted hip-hop poet laureate Robert Williams starts off arguably his greatest track, the 2012 smash hit “Dreams and Nightmares,” with a simple, yet provocative inquiry.
“Ain’t this what they been waitin’ for?”
“You ready?”
Yes, Meek, this is, in fact, what we have been waiting for, and we are ready. Clemson, seemingly more vulnerable than any other iteration we’ve seen in the Dabo Swinney era, is set to take a swing at the Orange this Saturday. Goliath looks battered and bruised, and David has eaten his veggies with his slingshot locked and loaded. For the matchup on Saturday, I see a few key matchups determining the outcome of this game, and I am here to share those battles you need to have your eyes on. Just because I am a nice guy and I care about your football viewing experience.
Donovan Brown or Damein Alford vs. CB Jeadyn Lukas
This one is almost entirely determinant to the health of Clemson’s star CB, Nate Wiggins, who suffered a lower left leg injury in the last seconds of regulation in Clemson’s matchup with Florida State last week. Dabo Swinney gave somewhat hopeful news for Wiggins after he could not put any pressure on that left leg coming off the field, saying he’s considered day-to-day and seems to have avoided any ligament damage. Wiggins is a certifiable 1st round talent who allowed 0 catches on five targets, going against arguably the most talented WR duo in the country in Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman. In short, if the 6’2 junior from Atlanta is out there, it’ll be a long day for Dame. Alford would have to maximize his huge frame and catch radius in ways we haven’t seen him consistently yet against a corner uniquely built to minimize those specific strengths. It would be vital for WR2 Donovan Brown to consistently win in the slot and on the outside against Sheridan Jones, Clemson’s other starting corner, and the backup Lukas, both decidedly less impressive than Wiggins, but can hold up in limited snaps.
However…
If Wiggins doesn’t play or is severely limited, that bumps Jones to CB1 and makes Lukas the other starting corner. This is Jones’ first year as a full-time starter, and he’s OK but not great. There would be windows open for Shrader to feed Damien in jump ball and off-man situations where his physicality can impose its will. Lukas, in particular, struggled late in the FSU game, giving up two catches to Johnny Wilson on FSU’s last drive in regulation and surrendering the game-winning jump ball to Keon Coleman. If Lukas is out there as a starter, Brown must consistently create separation and solidify himself as Shrader’s security blanket, his de facto role over these first four games.
J’Onre Reed vs. Tyler Davis
Davis stood out last year on a D-Line with three guys drafted and two in the first round, surprising many draftniks with his return to Clemson for his super senior season. In particular, he wreaked havoc in last year’s matchup against SU with two sacks and 2.5 TFLs. He carries his weight very well for a 300-pounder and wins with speed and finesse as an interior rusher, but he has powerful hands and a high motor that serve him in the run and make him uncommonly versatile as DT. Big General Reed has arguably been the most consistent man up front for this Syracuse offensive line, with no penalties and no pressures allowed through four games. While Chris Bleich and Jakob Bradford will get a healthy dose of Davis, Reed will primarily be tasked with keeping him the two-time 1st ACC selectee off Shrader and moving him with combo blocks and zone scoops. Reed hasn’t played face a guy nearly this talented yet (there aren’t that many in CFB), and this will serve as a litmus test for just how much this SU offense can rely upon the interior offensive line unit.
Garrett Shrader vs. Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter
Another year, another elite set of twitchy athletes roaming the Clemson LB room. Carter and Trotter have already combined for over 40 tackles this season. Both of them will be playing on Sundays with their sideline-to-sideline speed, quick trigger recognition skills in reading formations and different run types, and the versatility to play in the box as traditional downhill thumbers, as well as being able to run with tight ends, slot receivers, and running backs in man coverage and maintain eye discipline and get into passing lanes in zone drops. These are exactly the type of guys you do not want getting a ton of chances to tee off on Shrader, and Beck will have to be super selective in picking his spots with designed QB runs for Shrader. Even with LeQuint, getting to the edge of outside zones and creating chunk run plays will be significantly harder with the pursuit and angles Carter and Trotter take to the ball. However, for all their strengths, both guys tip the scales at 225, and they’d much rather be freed up chasing plays down backside in space versus taking on blocks and consistently dealing with physical ball carriers. Shrader’s already said that this is one of those games that you throw caution to the win for, and he does bring a level of physicality when he’s toting the rock. Maybe only in small doses, but Shrader could be a physical tone-setter and present problems for Clemson with his off-schedule scrambles.
Will Shipley vs. Kevon Darton and Leon Lowery
This particular one could play out like a 15-round heavyweight championship fight. This Mob defense is well-acquainted with Shipley, and Clemson will again rely heavily on him to carry the offense. Terry Lockett and Caleb Okechukwu will certainly be factors in corralling Shipley. Still, I think their main priority should be collapsing the pocket and flustering Klubnik, which worked wonders last year in rendering DJ Uiagalelei useless. Darton is no slouch as a pass rusher, but his get-off and knockback that he’s consistently put on tape so far, creates havoc for pulling guards and H-backs, and he could have a more singular impact on Clemson being able to run the ball in between the tackles, and their confidence in short yardage situations. If Darton can consistently reset the line of scrimmage, it could throw a major wrench in the Clemson game plan. Lowery has tracked a similar path as Darton; stepping out of the rotational guy or part-time starter role into a full-time starter with major injuries to the guy in front of them, and having played so well in their absence, it would be idiotic to reduce their snap count. Lowery came on towards the end of last season and has fully blossomed with Stef Thompson still ramping back up to 100%. As the case with the DL group, Marlowe and Derek McDonald will obviously play a huge role in helping Leon shut down the Clemson run game, but Derek lines up on the edge just a bit more than Lowery, and I’d like to see them utilized as pass rushers, either off the edge or in A and B-gap pressures. Lowery operates as the MIKE in the middle of the field, and how well he forces Shipley (and spark plug back Phil Mafah, who had 94 yards in last year’s matchup and clocks in at a scorching 6.7 yards a carry this season) to work east and west versus north and south, working in tandem with Darton and the rest of that 3-man front, will force more on Klubnik’s plate, limit the biggest strength on this Clemson offense, and open up opportunities for takeaways with Clemson forcing the ball downfield.
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