Where they stand

(For those of you who came here looking for tiebreaker scenarios, and what has to happen for Clemson to repeat as Atlantic Division champs, you've come to the wrong place. Win Saturday in Tallahassee, and we'll start talking about it. Until then ... no.)

So we're six games into the conference schedule, and Clemson sits at 3-3. It's always more revealing to look at conference-only stats, particularly when you have an adequate sample size, so now's a good time to check out how the Tigers have done statistically.

It doesn't take long when scanning these stats to wonder where the Tigers would be without their defense.

Here's what they've done on that side of the ball in conference games:

Scoring: 16.7 (2nd ACC)
Total: 314.3 (3rd)
Rushing: 130 (4th)
Passing: 184.3 (4th)
Pass effic: 107.3 (4th)
Sacks: 14 (3rd)
3rd d. conv: 30.8 (1st)
Interceptions: 8 (4th)
Fumbles rec'd: 1 (12th)
Red zone TD%: 33.3 (1st)

Yes, the defense is still giving up some big plays. But it's hard to argue with three touchdowns yielded in the past three games.

With the exception of all those busts against Miami, the defense has played winning football in its other five games.

The offense? Different story.

Here are the numbers:

Scoring: 19.8 (11th)
Total: 292.7 (10th)
Rushing: 119.5 (10th)
Passing: 173.2 (9th)
Pass effic: 98.5 (11th)
Sacks: 7 (1st)
3rd d. conv: 42.4 (4th)
Interceptions: 6 (6th)
Fumbles lost: 6 (10th)
Red zone TD%: 42.1 (11th)

The glaring deficiencies are rushing offense, red-zone offense, and lost fumbles.

Through six conference games last season, Clemson was averaging 146.2 rushing yards per game and 4 yards a carry. To average almost 30 yards per game less a year later is a surprise. Maybe it's a reflection of defenses not respecting the Tigers' downfield passing game, but it's more a reflection of an offensive line that should be better.

In 19 trips to the red zone, Clemson has scored eight touchdowns. Add in four missed field goals, an interception and a turnover on downs, and the Tigers are scoring points on just 57.9 of their red-zone trips.

The six lost fumbles have hurt, though the Tigers had totaled eight lost fumbles at this point in ACC play last season.

Something else to note: Clemson's weak scoring offense in ACC play is even weaker when you take out the touchdowns that were scored via kickoff (1) and interception return (2).

That's 12 offensive touchdowns in six games. Add in just five field goals (compared to 13 at this point last season), and that's 16.5 points per game in ACC play by the offense.

Who the heck knows what's going to happen over the last few weeks of the season. But I'm guessing the Tigers are going to have to be more efficient if they're going to turn this thing around.

Moving on to a few Monday links...

Jimbo Fisher was introduced to "Wide Right" in Saturday's loss to North Carolina.

Here's Mike Bianchi's take.

It's official: Jimbo Fisher has indubitably been inaugurated as the new coach at Florida State. Now and only now — after Saturday's excruciating 37-35 loss to North Carolina — he knows firsthand the sad, somber feeling Bobby Bowden experienced all those years when his Seminoles had their season wrecked by one confoundingly crooked kick.

The Seminoles need something good to happen after blowing games in successive weeks.

Gene Sapakoff fires up the Braggin' Rights Barometer and gets this readout: Gamecocks 18, Tigers 17.

Tony Barnhart says it's gonna be a big week for the Head Ball Coach.

Les Miles ... goodness gracious. Clown one week, grass-eating genius the next.



LW