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
