Great POST, Outsider Fan. +1
Sure, it’s August – I’m in the upbeat camp, also:
Two different seasons last year, once Shaw admitted we could not run. We finished 11th in Pac12 in Rushing (107y per game).
SO, Shaw comes out throwing in 2019. Green lights for KJ & Corp. Lock, stock and two smoking barrels.
OLINE: For all the hand-wringing, this is an EXPERIENCED group. Little-Hamilton-Dalman-Hattis-Sorrel. "LIKE"
QB: Despite a conservative first half, still, Costello was the #2 QB last season in Pac12 (270y+ per game) – behind Minshew, who was throwing it 50 a game. Losing Irwin, K.Smith and JJAW… STILL, I think M.Wilson, Weddington, O St.Brown, Fehoko (at 6’4, 220), Colby + Scooter at TE, D.Stewart, and add in newcomer Elijah "Arcega" Higgins – this is a better Corp than Luck had.
Plus KJ is going to get tosses to some RBs on wheel routes – Peat, A.Jones.
KJ lights it up for 4,000 yards if the OLine gels. Mills is not a step down if KJ gets hurt.
Clemson is winning Nat’l Championships throwing the ball and slicing up Bama's NFL caliber Defense.
RB: Last year was a DOWN year for Love; so we improve. Scarlett is a PROVEN 5th year Senior, runs gritty like Gaffney.
We will not be worse running the ball than we were in 2018. As a true frosh, B.Love got 40 touches; maybe A.Jones gets same.
KICKING: Jet Toner was solid last season. If Shaw doesn’t have a Super-Punter (Bailey), maybe he goes for it more often.
DLINE: I agree with OutsiderFan: This is a stocky group, apparently led by Jo.Swann in first two weeks of Fall camp.
DWPerry, M.Williams, Booker, Schaffer with very good, quick Defensive Ends: Reid, A.Fox, Umerah, 4*-Frosh diCosmo.
-- Biggest Problem: WASH and OREG bring NFL caliber OLines, as does NDAM.
LBs: We lost talent here, but I agree with the group and like the upside of Meizan and JM.Farrar, plus Robinson and Pryts.
At outside LB, we are in good shape with Senior Toohill and J.Fox, plus stud-Frosh Pakola, Herron, and Damuni.
Find a place to put super-Frosh Tristan Sinclair – try him at Safety or Nickel; he hits like a truck. Special Teams, obviously.
CBs: Adebo is the next Richard Sherman. Paired with Eboh – a pair of murderous ball-hawks. AGREED.
SAFETY: I share everyone’s concern… At least Antoine returns. If Williamson or Head step up, maybe J.McGill (?), then we might be OK.
If the Front 7 bring pressure, we get some TOs.
Overall, given the schedule, this team faces LITTLE margin for error – we could go 10-2, beat Utah in Pac12 Champ game and land in Roses.
Or get bounced down to Vegas Bowl at a sloppy 7-5. Despite some recruiting gaps, there is too much talent on this team. We are spoiled now.
Unlike last season, Shaw realizes this year that from the first snap we must THROW THE BALL. Open gaps for the run.
A middle scenario -- if we beat one of OREG or WASH -- has us at 9-3 in the Holiday Bowl (Fri, Dec. 27, San Diego),
against perhaps, NEBR… alums Scott Frost and Troy Walters.
Shaw is the only coach in the Pac12 with a winning record against each team we face in the league and NDAM.
This is an odd year: Look what we did to Nasty Dame in 2015 (the nuke from Uke) and then in 2017 -- not favored either game.
We beat those ladies in 2013 and 2011 also. And in 2009 Gerhart stomped all over the Domers.
As head coach starting 2011, he has never lost to CAL or UCLA – an amazing feat.
Sure, it’s August – I’m in the upbeat camp, also:
Two different seasons last year, once Shaw admitted we could not run. We finished 11th in Pac12 in Rushing (107y per game).
SO, Shaw comes out throwing in 2019. Green lights for KJ & Corp. Lock, stock and two smoking barrels.
OLINE: For all the hand-wringing, this is an EXPERIENCED group. Little-Hamilton-Dalman-Hattis-Sorrel. "LIKE"
QB: Despite a conservative first half, still, Costello was the #2 QB last season in Pac12 (270y+ per game) – behind Minshew, who was throwing it 50 a game. Losing Irwin, K.Smith and JJAW… STILL, I think M.Wilson, Weddington, O St.Brown, Fehoko (at 6’4, 220), Colby + Scooter at TE, D.Stewart, and add in newcomer Elijah "Arcega" Higgins – this is a better Corp than Luck had.
Plus KJ is going to get tosses to some RBs on wheel routes – Peat, A.Jones.
KJ lights it up for 4,000 yards if the OLine gels. Mills is not a step down if KJ gets hurt.
Clemson is winning Nat’l Championships throwing the ball and slicing up Bama's NFL caliber Defense.
RB: Last year was a DOWN year for Love; so we improve. Scarlett is a PROVEN 5th year Senior, runs gritty like Gaffney.
We will not be worse running the ball than we were in 2018. As a true frosh, B.Love got 40 touches; maybe A.Jones gets same.
KICKING: Jet Toner was solid last season. If Shaw doesn’t have a Super-Punter (Bailey), maybe he goes for it more often.
DLINE: I agree with OutsiderFan: This is a stocky group, apparently led by Jo.Swann in first two weeks of Fall camp.
DWPerry, M.Williams, Booker, Schaffer with very good, quick Defensive Ends: Reid, A.Fox, Umerah, 4*-Frosh diCosmo.
-- Biggest Problem: WASH and OREG bring NFL caliber OLines, as does NDAM.
LBs: We lost talent here, but I agree with the group and like the upside of Meizan and JM.Farrar, plus Robinson and Pryts.
At outside LB, we are in good shape with Senior Toohill and J.Fox, plus stud-Frosh Pakola, Herron, and Damuni.
Find a place to put super-Frosh Tristan Sinclair – try him at Safety or Nickel; he hits like a truck. Special Teams, obviously.
CBs: Adebo is the next Richard Sherman. Paired with Eboh – a pair of murderous ball-hawks. AGREED.
SAFETY: I share everyone’s concern… At least Antoine returns. If Williamson or Head step up, maybe J.McGill (?), then we might be OK.
If the Front 7 bring pressure, we get some TOs.
Overall, given the schedule, this team faces LITTLE margin for error – we could go 10-2, beat Utah in Pac12 Champ game and land in Roses.
Or get bounced down to Vegas Bowl at a sloppy 7-5. Despite some recruiting gaps, there is too much talent on this team. We are spoiled now.
Unlike last season, Shaw realizes this year that from the first snap we must THROW THE BALL. Open gaps for the run.
A middle scenario -- if we beat one of OREG or WASH -- has us at 9-3 in the Holiday Bowl (Fri, Dec. 27, San Diego),
against perhaps, NEBR… alums Scott Frost and Troy Walters.
Shaw is the only coach in the Pac12 with a winning record against each team we face in the league and NDAM.
This is an odd year: Look what we did to Nasty Dame in 2015 (the nuke from Uke) and then in 2017 -- not favored either game.
We beat those ladies in 2013 and 2011 also. And in 2009 Gerhart stomped all over the Domers.
As head coach starting 2011, he has never lost to CAL or UCLA – an amazing feat.