4th time watching Clemson vs OSU - few notes

I watch a lot of football in general, and what I’m seeing is really surprising.

- The routes, route running and route concepts ran by both teams were embarrassing. Middle school level stuff. I’m shocked to see this from 2 elite programs. A far cry from LSU’s intricacies in design and execution. No wonder the coverage was so good from both defenses. I no longer have the same respect for Higgins and Ross. OSU was a little better than Clemson in concepts and execution but not by much.

- To say Venables is aggressive is an understatement. His gameplan vs OSU was straight up wreck-less and arrogant. No matter the results.

- To this same point, Clemson defense sold out to the run game almost entire game. More like sold their souls to it. It wasn’t just the sheer numbers in the box personnel wise, it was the positioning.

- And to this point, even with positioning their LB’s 2 - 3 yards from the LOS (almost unheard of) AND their 2 safeties 10 yards from the LOS 90% of the time, they still couldn’t stop OSU running the ball. It actually hurt them because their LB’s and S’s had very little margin for error in reading the play. Once Dobbins was to the 2nd and 3rd level, they were already beat.

- OSU O-line dominated Clemson in the run game.

- And to this point, the only thing that stopped OSU from running the ball successfully was OSU’s decision to throw the ball.

- Clemson CB’s are good at finding the ball in the air.

- Clemson’s zone coverage was very impressive the few times they ployed it. They should mix that in more against LSU.

- Clemson WR’s couldn’t handle OSU’s hands-on physical play at CB. Were flustered the whole game. Aranda and LSU DB’s should feel good about this matchup.

- Etienne is the only player that scares me. No surprise.