LSU and Clemson will battle it on Monday, January 13th
in the Super Dome, to settle the argument. “Who really is the best team in the
Nation?” LSU has one of the top ranked offenses in the country, and has had one
of the greatest turn arounds for a program ever. Clemson is the defending
national champion and currently riding a 29 game winning streak. However, they
are the underdogs in this game.
LSU knows it will be in for 60 minute battle against Clemson
and they will be well prepared for quarterback Trevor Lawrence “He has a great
arm.” said LSU linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson “he has the ability to make plays
with his legs and that’s just something that we have to account for.”
Head coach of the Bayou Bengals Ed Orgeron spoke highly of Clemson
defensive coordinator Brent Venables during the coaches’ press conference on
Sunday morning. “I do believe it’s a combination of their great athletes that
they have, but he always has them in position to make plays.” said Orgeron “The
guy is a phenomenal game day caller, especially his blitzes. He knows how to
blitz protections, and he can just send one linebacker, but it’s at the right
place.” In regards to how special the Clemson defense has been this season.
Athletically both of these quarterbacks are similar, Burrow
is 6’4 216 pounds and Lawrence is 6’6 220 pounds. However the way in which they
are utilized in their offense differs greatly. “They do a little bit more
running with him.” said Orgeron “Their tight end stays in most of the time on
their protections. We’re more of a spread. They’re more of an RPO team. But
they both throw the deep ball and make great decisions.”
Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons has certainly taken notice
of Burrow and this LSU offense. “He doesn’t have very many flaws in his game.” said
Simmons. “Everything he does he does it with precision. Very good with his
legs. And obviously his arm, he’s amazing as well. Just his ability to extend
plays and also his poise in the pocket is really great.”
Clemson defensive back Tanner Muse was asked to rank the
weapons that Burrow has to throw to someone Clemson has faced this season. “I
don’t know if they rank against anybody.” said Muse “I think they’re their own
unique team, their own unique dynamics. You can’t really place them into any
kind of category. They’re very special, obviously, with the stats they’ve put
up this year, but we’ve been going against a lot of teams that have been great,
played them well, so I’m just really looking forward to this challenge and
hopefully we’ll have our best game.”
When asked about what he saw when he looked at the tape of
LSU, defensive coordinator Brent Venables said “They got a superstar cast,
fabulous football players, all dynamic in their own ways.” He went on to break
down some of the difference makers for the LSU offense. “The tight end has
terrific hands, but, man, he blocks like you’re supposed to block. They’ve got
a great system set up to get him in the passing game, to get him involved. How
they flex him out of the box, use him in the box, slow your rush down.”
Venables then mentioned LSU running back Clyde
Edwards-Helaire. “But the running back is very, very – has an incredible skill
set.” said Venables. “Again, he’s a committee guy. He’s over a 600-pound squat
guy. Loves the weight room as a skill guy. Love that. Plays with toughness and
passion and purpose. They use him probably more so than any other offense that
we have faced all year in the passing game, really make you defend the
perimeter with him.”
Look for LSU to utilize tight end Thaddeus Moss and running
back Clyde Edwards-Helaire greatly IF the passing game breaks down.
Prediction: Clemson
31 LSU 44