FSU football: Breaking down Clemson weaknesses and tendencies
By Kelvin Hunt
![TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 15: Head Coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles on the sidelines during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 15, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Seminoles 34 to 28. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 15: Head Coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles on the sidelines during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 15, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Seminoles 34 to 28. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5d2f20fedf045aa8bf17fd5017bef41db6c6bcfa801f3420e52dd6b30262a251.jpg)
Clemson Offense
The Clemson offense will likely revolve around running back Will Shipley. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is still learning a new offense and doesn’t have much experience under his belt. Here’s an example of what Shipley loves to do in the run game:
Watch the defensive end at the top of the screen, as soon as Shipley sees the end dip inside, he bounces the run outside for a huge gain. FSU must set the edge in the run game and stay in their lanes.
Clemson will run some RPO action with Shipley like the video below:
I’m not sure what the Duke defense was trying to do here. It looks like they’re sending a corner and linebacker blitz and the linebacker takes forever to recognize it’s a pass. The corner seemed to smell something when the receiver didn’t go out for his route. However, both pursue, and it’s a big gain for Shipley in space.
Clemson hasn’t had much of a vertical passing attack, instead it’s been a lot of getting their running backs in space. A prime example is the video below:
The Duke linebacker does a great job diagnosing the play and is in position to stop this for a one-two yard gain. However, Shipley’s shifty and makes him miss to pick up a 10-yard gain.