[ad_1]
No. 16 NC State was supposed to be the biggest match to play between No. 3 Clemson and the college football game, when the two undefeated rivals of the Atlantic ACC prepared it on Saturday afternoon. If so, the Tigers passed hands down. Real-time rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence made 26 assists in 39 for a total of 308 yards and a touchdown, and the Tiger's defense ended his attack in the 41-7 victory at Death Valley.
It was not just an emphatic victory, but a statement to the world of college football that Alabama is not the only behemoth to cross the season like a Mack truck.
For the first time this season against a strong opponent, the Tigers looked like what many expected to be all season long. Lawrence's ability to stretch the field, combined with the work of catering star Travis Etienne – who scored three touchdowns in just 39 yards – allowed the offensive to shoot, which has never been regretted. That's exactly how it should work with Lawrence under the center.
His ability to take over a secondary opponent releases the defense, and the running game brings the hammer. The fact that Étienne – who came into the game with an average of 9.17 yards per run – did not have a good match from the distance point of view is proof that he's This is a more complete unit than last year. Etienne has contributed greatly to the victories over Syracuse and Wake Forest, and Lawrence has made it against the best team that Clemson will face all year. Think of it as the last piece of the Clemson Football College playoff puzzle.
The one already in place – the fierce defense – was tied against quarterback Ryan Finley and Wolfpack. Finley maintained a 156-yard margin and launched two interceptions. The Tigers scored 10 tackles for the loss and held NC State at just 2-of-12 when converting to third.
Secondary school work was even more important. Finley had the worst passing game against Virginia, when he racked up 247 yards and three touchdowns. It was the only game before Saturday when he had played less than 300 passing yards. In the only two games against teams capable of stretching, Clemson dropped 430 yards and 250 yards to Texas A & M and Syracuse, respectively.
Let's not go too far, though. It took Clemson half of the season to find his pace, and Alabama, at the top of the league, hit him early in the season. Saturday's win against NC State does not prove that Clemson is a threat to the Crimson Tide at the moment, but that proves that he's the absolute favorite to win the title of ACC Atlantic, and ACC's. to qualify for the fourth consecutive time at the College Football Playoff year.
If Clemson 's trajectory continues to move upward, it will be at Alabama' s level in December.
[ad_2]
Source link
