Clemson Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Texas A&M in Week 2

3 of 4

COLLEGE STATION, TX – AUGUST 30: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Northwestern State Demons during the first half of a football game at Kyle Field on August 30, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

2. Take advantage of Texas A&M’s offensive line

Even after racking up nearly 250 rushing yards and not surrendering a sack in their first game against Texas State, the Texas A&M offensive line has questions to answer heading into Death Valley. Of course, those questions were also asked of Jimbo Fisher during his press conference this week. Coach Fisher said he wasn’t worried about the unit’s performance and thought they played well despite a few missed assignments.

It’s easy to see why Fisher would want to downplay the issue.

Kellen Mond found himself on the ground multiple times and the Aggies also struggled to punch the ball into the end zone on multiple possessions inside the five yards line. In other words, the Texas A&M offensive line failed to dominate – let alone protect their quarterback – against a very pedestrian defensive line from the Sun Belt.

This is a possible weakness that the Clemson coaching staff has no doubt noticed on film. With the defensive line being one of the main questions marks as the season progresses, Dabo Swinney and company will likely use this game as a measuring stick for the progress of their unproved defensive line.

If the new-look line can dominant the trenches, Clemson’s defense will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and dominant their opponents – including the Aggies.

Home/Clemson Tigers