What’s next for Clemson’s offense?
The past couple seasons, we’ve partnered with SeldomUsedReserve.com for stat projections with the Clemson offense. With a bevy of skill position stars back, we’ve examined what the ’15 Tigers can put up. Here’s our assessment of the offense as a whole:
Projection by Rink
Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott have one game under their belts as co-offensive coordinators, but it was one heck of a game.
From the opening play (a 65-yard TD), Clemson out-maneuvered Oklahoma to a 40-0 score through three quarters at the Russell Athletic Bowl.
With quarterback Deshaun Watson on the field, Clemson in 2014 averaged 6.9 yards per play, which over the season would have ranked in the top 10 nationally.
In those three quarters in Orlando, Fla., without Watson and under new leadership, the Tigers averaged 6.9 per play also.
With even an adequate O-line, the ceiling is that high with Watson and an abundance of skill position weapons but it will be interesting in how those those numbers go up.
Last season, Clemson was in the top half nationally in rush attempts (42nd) and 108th in yards per carry (3.5). With a healthier and stacked RB corps, those figures should improve. But how much? At least in the mid-tier nationally, balancing the offense enough to go with a highly efficient passing game.
The Clemson passing game should make the top 10 and propel the whole offense to a top 10 or top 15 offense overall.
2015 projection (12 games): 78 plays (936) – 507 YPG (6,084) – 40 PPG
Rushing: 186 YPG – 27 TDs – 4.4 YPC; Leaders – Wayne Gallman (912 yards/8 TD/5.4 YPC), Tyshon Dye (330 yards/5 TD/5.7 YPC).
Passing: 321 YPG – 34 TDs; Deshaun Watson (67.5 cmp%/304 YPG/32 TD-7 INT).
Receiving: Artavis Scott (936 yards/9 TD/13 YPR), Mike Williams (918 yards/8 TD/18 YPR).
Projection by Marty Coleman (SeldomUsedReserve.com)
Clemson finished 58th in total offense last season, averaging over 408 yards per game. I don’t think there’s any question with a healthy Watson those numbers will be eclipsed with relative ease.
The numbers I’ve assigned would put the Tigers around 30th in the nation in total offense and give them a 6.16 yard per play average (about 15 percent better than last season).
Clemson averaged 78 plays per game in the 52 games with Morris calling the plays and accumulated 79 in the Russell Athletic Bowl with Elliott running the show (and Stoudt at quarterback), but lost in the highlight reels is the fact that Clemson played slower with Watson at quarterback.
With a new coordinator, a relatively inexperienced quarterback (330 snaps) and a rebuilt offensive line, I expect a slight slowing of the offense, at least in the season’s first few games.
The wild card is field goal kicking, which is in a state of flux with the suspension of Ammon Lakip. If Lakip doesn’t return, the inclination is to assume fewer points will be scored. But the Tigers might score more without Lakip, assuming they go more often on fourth down.
2015 projection (12 games): 74 plays (888) – 456 YPG (5,472) – 38 PPG
Rushing: 191 YPG – 28 TDs – 4.3 YPC; Leaders – Wayne Gallman (840 yards/7 TD/4.9 YPC), Adam Choice (290 yards/3 TD/4.1 YPC).
Passing: 265 YPG – 32 TDs; Deshaun Watson (68 cmp%/252 YPG/30 TD-6 INT).
Receiving: Mike Williams (1,104 yards/8 TD/17.7 YPR), Artavis Scott (1,056 yards/9 TD/12.5 YPR).