Get off the ball

Clemson was blown off the ball on both sides of the line of scrimmage last week. Though it is unlikely The Citadel will be able to do the same thing Alabama did, Clemson needs to show that it has improved from week one to week two. The only way to do that is to totally dominate what should be a far less talented and physically strong Bulldog team. If Clemson dominates the line of scrimmage then winning this game will be easy. But any kind of struggles getting off the ball will build the confidence for a Citadel team that would love nothing more than to become the first Southern Conference school to beat Clemson since 1952.

Make tackles

How many times did we see a Clemson linebacker hit the hole to meet an Alabama running back, only to bounce off him like a pinball? Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said his players hit Alabama 51 times one yard from the line of scrimmage during its 54 running plays last week, however, the Crimson Tide still rushed for 239 yards – 4.8 yards per clip. Wonder how different that game might have been had they made just half of those plays? Odds are the Tigers should improve in that area against The Citadel. At least they better.

Believe in yourself

How will Clemson respond? Will the Tigers show the aggressiveness and the nastiness head coach Tommy Bowden said was missing in last week’s game? Clemson needs to prove to itself that it can be the team everyone thought it could be before the season got started. They need to prove that Alabama is the exception and not the rule. No, beating a Football Championship Subdivision team will not make up for what happened at the Georgia Dome, but Clemson shouldn’t worry about what others perceive them to be, at least not right now. The Tigers concern should be on themselves and this game is a perfect opportunity to start the healing process, while building confidence.