WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:03.000 Joining us now is our good friend from the Clemson Insider. 2 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:05.480 It's Will Vandervoort. What's going on, my friend? 3 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:06.839 What's going on? 4 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:07.160 Guys? 5 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:07.719 How y'all doing? 6 00:00:08.039 --> 00:00:11.279 We're doing fantastic. We'll lead off with a quick Halloween 7 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:14.000 question if you don't mind, do you have a favorite 8 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.440 Halloween candy or even a mount Rushmore that you can nominate. 9 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:25.960 Halloween candy? Not a big I'm not a big candy guy. 10 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:28.640 I never have been, but if I had to go, 11 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:35.920 I would say probably not be the the little Hershey's 12 00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:40.759 candy bars and the uh and and some maybe some 13 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:43.520 either Reese's pieces. 14 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:48.200 Reese's pieces are criminally underrated, very underrated. Yeah, so well 15 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:51.159 let's stop into football. What we got you here? And 16 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:54.079 Avart you can find him at the Clemson Insider. Just 17 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:56.600 your progress report right now? On the Tigers, we haven't 18 00:00:56.600 --> 00:00:58.960 spoken in about a month probably, And look, it's been 19 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.600 an interesting season so far. They had the open week, 20 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:05.319 and I guess since you know the Georgia game, they 21 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:08.959 have certainly made strides on offense. They've looked very potent 22 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:12.599 on defensive times. Where would you grade this team right now? Overall? 23 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:18.599 That's safely grant them overall, maybe an A right now, 24 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:21.920 they can be better. A plus obviously would be better. 25 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:25.120 But you know, I think they're solid A because when 26 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:28.120 you win six straight and you win dominating fashion, you 27 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:31.560 know you've proven you can you through some good things 28 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:35.120 and done some good things. And defensively, I think is 29 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:39.799 where the defense hasn't played. It's that game yet I 30 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:41.719 do believe that. I do think they can do better, 31 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:46.719 especially with the first team guys. So that's gotta be good. 32 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:48.920 Make Twim's defense feel good because they know they're six 33 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:50.640 and one and they can still play better, and they 34 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.319 play I think offensively they're playing as bad as good 35 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:56.400 as they can. And you know, I don't know if 36 00:01:56.439 --> 00:01:59.480 there's anything really you can critique negatively on the offense. 37 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:02.760 I mean, offensive line has much improved, only allowed two 38 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:07.760 sacks themselves all year. Uh the uh, that's just the 39 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:10.439 offensive line being charged with sacks, by the way. The 40 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:14.439 you know, Kate Klubmick obviously is is swinging it everywhere. 41 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:19.039 Twenty touchdown, three interceptions. You know, he's got four rushing 42 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:22.479 touchdowns and has really become a factor in the run game, 43 00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:27.360 taking care of the football on both both sides. And 44 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:30.400 then the wide receivers, man, you know, they're much improved too, 45 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:34.159 and you know, start off with you knows, even putting 46 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:36.599 britting Steel in there. You know, Britney Steel's having a 47 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:39.599 heck of a year, so is Antonio Williams. Obviously you've 48 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:46.080 got more and you know Bryant west Coat doing their thing. 49 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:49.319 And then also you know Troy Stilado and Adam Randall 50 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:51.599 have been just hitch out as well and they've had 51 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:54.479 their opportunity. So I just really don't see anything on 52 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:58.400 the offensive side that I could be negative about. You know, 53 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:02.879 where defensively there's some issues. You know, obviously at defensive end, 54 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:06.919 they're still trying to figure some things out there. I think, 55 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:10.879 you know, Shaheen loss has come around, like where he's 56 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:13.599 at in his progression. I think on the back end, 57 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:15.840 I think they on the last game they moved Khalil 58 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:21.599 Barnes more back to the nickel position and put Griffin 59 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:23.919 back there at safety. I think that was a good 60 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:26.520 move because I think Khalil Barnes is more comfortable and 61 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:28.759 plays better at that nickel position, and I think it 62 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:32.159 showed against Virginia because he probably had his best game 63 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:34.759 of the season. So if they can get better on 64 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:37.840 that back end of the defense, and I think maybe 65 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.479 they're taking steps to do that. They're gonna be They're 66 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:42.719 gonna be challenging to get to beat. And if the 67 00:03:42.759 --> 00:03:46.000 defensive line can just continue to get better and they 68 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:48.560 can start get more pressure on the on the quarterback 69 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:50.639 like they did the last couple of weeks, you're gonna 70 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:52.520 start seeing them get better as well. So yeah, there's 71 00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:55.879 there's some good things and bad things, But overall, I say, 72 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:58.199 as seams of the age right now, Will Van. 73 00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:00.800 Der Voord, Clemson Insider joins us here game on always 74 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:02.879 great to get his perspective and have a few laughs 75 00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:05.400 along the way. But on a serious note, you mentioned 76 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:08.439 the offensive line. You mentioned Kay Club Nick. They are 77 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:11.159 really playing as one right now, that whole group, and 78 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.080 it's great to see. And you look at Club Nick. 79 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:16.000 I think one thing Sweeney talked about I saw it 80 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:19.639 reported on your website here the Clemson Insider that Club 81 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:22.920 Nick's sort of willingness to be more active in the 82 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:25.959 run game Dabo. Sweeney has pointed out that that's been 83 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:28.639 a big plus for him. Just size up Club Nick 84 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:31.560 his development. It's not just the offensive line. They've done 85 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:33.680 a great job, and these receivers have stepped up big 86 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:35.879 and I think the play calling has been great. But 87 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.639 Clubnick on his own has really grown up in a 88 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:39.839 very short amount of time here. 89 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:43.480 Yeah, he has. I mean, and it helps him grow 90 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.120 up when everybody's better around him. I mean, that's just 91 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:49.959 for an insurre fact, you know. And but he's played, 92 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:52.879 he's played phenomenal, you know, as I mentioned, And I 93 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:56.120 think the difference in this offense this year is his 94 00:04:56.279 --> 00:04:58.720 ability to be a factor in the run game. You know, 95 00:04:58.920 --> 00:05:01.240 he's he's pulled when he needs to at the right 96 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:05.600 time in the run pass option part of the game. 97 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:08.000 And he's running for big yards. I mean, he's just 98 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:10.720 not running like one or two yard touchdown runs. I 99 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:13.879 mean he's running for like thirty forty yards out for touchdowns. 100 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:17.879 Well what that does that really, he's really making defenses 101 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.879 pay when they go man a man and he gets 102 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:25.040 outside the pocket, right, and so you know that means 103 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:27.199 teams have to do different things they don't want to do. Well, 104 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:29.199 that's going to open up the run game already has 105 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:32.560 you know, Clemson looks how balance Clemson has been right now, 106 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:34.279 they're one of the most balanced teams in the country. 107 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:37.720 They're averaging two hundred averaging almost three hundred yards of 108 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:40.639 game throwing the football, and they're averaging two hundred yards 109 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:44.319 of games running the football. I mean, that's all you 110 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:46.959 want out of your offense, is your averaging nearly five 111 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:50.360 hundred yards a game in total offense, you're averaging over 112 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:54.000 forty points. And that's counting the Georgia game, by the way, 113 00:05:54.040 --> 00:05:57.000 in those numbers, so they're doing in the six game 114 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:00.160 win straight, they're actually way over those in those numbers. 115 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.879 So they got a good balance running the football. And 116 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:07.040 I think club Nick being a part of running the 117 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:09.160 football and being a factor in the run game is 118 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:12.240 why that balance is showing, because it's just opening up 119 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:13.959 everything in the offense. And when you look at Clemson 120 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:17.920 and today with Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson and Kelly 121 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:21.959 Bryant there when the quarterbacks ran the football, they were 122 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:25.519 part of the run game, yep, and they put stress 123 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:28.639 on the defense. And with all the weapons Clemton has, 124 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:31.680 you throw that factor in there now it's almost unstoppable. 125 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:34.720 And that's why they've been so good this first half 126 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:35.279 of the season. 127 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.360 Well, it's been a couple of weeks, but I caught 128 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:41.160 your podcast Believe in Clemson Football, and every week it's 129 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:43.399 it's always a fun journey into not only you know, 130 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:46.399 the present, but the past. And a couple of weeks ago, 131 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:49.639 one of you know, your favorite people on the planet, CJ. Spiller, 132 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:54.000 was honored by this great university. Let's just take a 133 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:57.040 moment and have your perspective on what a great career, 134 00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:59.600 not only it's been for Spiller as a player, but 135 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:02.759 off field and now in the coaching rings. 136 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:07.480 Yeah, and he's he's a friend of mine. I got 137 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:10.639 to know CJ when he was a player. Actually, I 138 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:14.040 started working with IPT Media at the time that CJ. 139 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:17.199 You know that that Dabo's first year, say coach, and 140 00:07:17.720 --> 00:07:20.680 I really got to know CJ personally and who he 141 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:24.000 is as a person, and you know, and he's just 142 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:27.480 a great guy, just just really is. And getting to 143 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:31.000 know that side of him was was really fun for me. 144 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:35.120 And you know it's still it's still know him today 145 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:37.759 and you know, see him through through what we do 146 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:40.240 with our job and stuff like that, and you know, 147 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:42.720 he's just one of those people man that he's just 148 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:46.040 good on every side, you know, I mean, whether he's 149 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:49.120 a football player, he's one of the best. Whether he's 150 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:52.360 a coach, he's one of the best, and whether as 151 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:54.920 just a person, he's one of the best. As a 152 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:57.439 dad he's one of the best, and as a husband, 153 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:59.800 one of the best. And he's just good people and 154 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:05.000 and and he and he demands and that helps him 155 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:07.759 win his run in his room, right in this running 156 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:11.759 back room, because that makes by him being who he 157 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:14.600 is and demands so much of himself, that forces his 158 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:18.160 players understand how much he demands of them, and they 159 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:20.480 respect it and understand it, and they want to play 160 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:22.439 for him and play hard for him. And that's what 161 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:24.800 you see out of his running back room. And uh, 162 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:27.480 just so happy for CJ. Man really am just that 163 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:30.680 he's in the not no surprise obviously that he's in 164 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.879 the Ring of Honor, and as well deserved as anybody. 165 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:36.960 He's up there with my good friend Levon now who 166 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.080 was the last one before him, And it's just it 167 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:43.480 was just awesome for me because he's the first player 168 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:45.960 I've been doing this twenty years, guys. I know that 169 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:50.639 sounds crazy, but I have. He's the first player during 170 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:52.480 my twenty years that's now in the Ring of Honor 171 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:56.559 that I covered at Clemson. So it's it is crazy, 172 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:59.679 it's it's it's pretty special to say, hey, I watched 173 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:03.559 his I remember when he played all four years at 174 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:06.360 Clemson and what he did with the program, And you know, 175 00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:10.720 he is to Clemson football in this era that Steve 176 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:15.200 Fuller was in the nineteen seventies and eighties. Steve Fuller, 177 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:17.799 A lot of people don't know this or remember it. 178 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:22.159 The old timers will, but Steve Fuller was like c J. Spiller, 179 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:25.360 and he kind of proved everybody that, hey, a great 180 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:28.159 player can't come to Clemson and have a great career 181 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:30.200 and go on to the NFL and have a great career. 182 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.519 When Steve Fuller proved that and put Clemson on the 183 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:36.679 map with those seventy seven and seventy eight teams, it 184 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:39.919 really sparked what we saw in the nineteen eighties and 185 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:42.919 what Clemson did winning the national championship in eighty one 186 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:45.240 and then going on and just having a dominant decade 187 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:49.360 there under Danny Ford. Well, c J. Spiller is the 188 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:52.000 guy that did that for Dabo Sweeney. He came back, 189 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:55.519 he came to Clemson over Florida, and when everybody in 190 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:59.240 America wanted him. He was a five star guy, and 191 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:01.600 he came to Clemson and he ended up having a 192 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:04.799 great career, went on to the NFL, had a great 193 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:07.679 career as well. And then and what that did is 194 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.279 that just showed the CJ. Excuse me, the TAJ Boyds 195 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:17.480 and the Sammy Watkins and you know New Hopkins, those guys. 196 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:21.639 It started it right and then by CJ doing it, 197 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:24.320 those guys followed in line. And then Clemson came in 198 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:26.720 and then you got to Shaun Watson, you got Trevor Lawrence, 199 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:29.840 you got all those great receivers and Christian Wilkins, and 200 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.879 I can go on and on and on, and then 201 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:35.279 we see where they're at right now. And yeah, c J. 202 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:37.360 Spiller is the guy that started it all man, and 203 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.000 he did. You know, he deserves that credit. 204 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:41.279 You can make the argument that, ya, he's one of 205 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:43.759 the top two or three most instrumental players in the 206 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:45.720 Sweeney era. I mean, as you mentioned, because it was 207 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:49.279 right in that important time for Dabbo to spring that 208 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:54.080 program forward in his formative years. And certainly congrats to CJ. 209 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.480 Spiller in his entire family as he's honored by the 210 00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:00.600 University there. Shifting gears now you got Louisville coming up here, 211 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:03.639 an interesting team with some some good offensive weapons. Let's 212 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.440 get your perspective on what lies ahead for Clemson here, 213 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:09.000 seven thirty kickoff down at the Valley this Sunday or 214 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:11.639 this Saturday. I should say, by the way. 215 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:14.639 And get right to that. I would be remiss though, 216 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:17.039 if I didn't mention that this week, sit in your 217 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:20.279 seats at halftime because Sammy Watkins and Tyj's boy, we're 218 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:23.320 going to be honored in the Clinton Hall of Fame, 219 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:26.279 in the Athletic Hall of Fame. So I want to 220 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.960 give those guys their credit to Yeah, as they were, 221 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:31.320 they're like CJ. They kind of got this whole thing going, 222 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:33.200 and they deserve that credit. It's good to see those 223 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:37.039 guys looking forward to obviously I see Taj a lot, 224 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.679 but obviously looking forward to seeing Sammy back in Clemson. 225 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:42.360 But as far as the game goes, this is a 226 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:47.120 huge game, guys, for Clemson as they start that stretch 227 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:50.440 here in the season where they got Louisville this week. 228 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:52.960 Next week they go to Virginia Tech, and then two 229 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.480 weeks ago they go two weeks from now, they go 230 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:58.559 to Pittsburgh. Listen, if Clemson. We've already found out by 231 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:01.039 the way the tiebreaker works, the possibility to have a 232 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:05.039 three way tie in the ACC. So regardless, if Clemson 233 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:09.240 can win these next two games, regardless Clymtson's going to Pittsburgh, 234 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:12.240 We're into orange pants. I mean, it's a championship game, 235 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:14.279 a chance to clinch a birth in the a SEC 236 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:17.399 Championship game, going to Pittsburgh here in a few weeks. 237 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:20.360 So it starts with Louisville first. I mean, they got 238 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:23.200 to win this game. I mean it's huge and what 239 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:24.559 they want to do, and they want to get to 240 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:26.519 the AC Championship game. They want to make the colleg 241 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.600 football playoff and they need to get there. They got 242 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:31.120 to win this game. But also this game is huge 243 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:33.600 in the sense of what's happening on Tuesday night. And 244 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.000 I'm not talking about the elections. I'll talk about the 245 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:38.600 colleg football payoffs because that's what we care about, and 246 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:42.960 the college football playoffs. Initial rankings are coming out on 247 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.600 Tuesday night. 248 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:46.080 I'm excited, man, I can't wait for that. The ones 249 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.080 that something. 250 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:52.039 Yeah, this means something. So it's important that Clemson play 251 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:55.559 well this week and show off themselves to the committee. 252 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:57.519 They don't have to blow Louisville out because it was 253 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:59.879 a good team. The committee knows Louisville is a good team. 254 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:03.159 The important thing is that Clemson shows themselves how what 255 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:05.440 kind of team they are to the committee. Win the 256 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:08.519 game and he play well winning the game. That's going 257 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:11.120 to do wonders, I think for Clemson. And add that 258 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:13.559 to what they've already done. And I know people have 259 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:15.679 to say, well, well, what's Clinton's strength to schedule is 260 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:18.360 not any good? Well, here's the thing, we don't know 261 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:21.559 what this committee is looking for yet. We're going to 262 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:24.480 find that out on Tuesday night. Because some committees in 263 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:26.799 the past have been big on strength to schedule. Some 264 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:29.639 committees in the past have been big on yeah, you 265 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:31.240 don't got a very good strength to schedule, by how 266 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:33.679 dominant have you been in your wins? Well, Clinton's been 267 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:36.919 dominant in their wins. And if Clemson's able to play 268 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:39.480 well against a good Louisville team and win and look 269 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:42.679 good doing it, I think that's going to bode wonders 270 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:45.240 for Clemson. And what you hope is they start off 271 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.440 this rankings in the top ten, because then that'll give 272 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:52.399 them opportunities with Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh and South Carolina 273 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:55.120 in the next few weeks to get some good wins 274 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:58.879 to add on to that resume. And I know people 275 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:00.919 are saying John Rofe, people like yeah, but well about 276 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:02.919 the automatic birth. You don't got to worry about that, 277 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:06.440 you do because you don't know what's going to happen 278 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:08.600 in the championship game. You just can't assume Clinton is 279 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:12.240 winning the ACC anymore. So you want Clinton's resume to 280 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.360 look good to when they get DACY championship game. They're 281 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:17.039 sitting in the top six. They don't have to get 282 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.320 in the top five in this there, but they're in 283 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:21.480 that top six. When the regular season is over, going 284 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:24.279 to Charlotte, then Clinton, I think, is in the playoff 285 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.759 regardless of what happens in d ACY championship game. That's 286 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:29.440 why these next few weeks are so big for Clemson. 287 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:34.720 Steve Will on Twitter, Will, I've got some Pittsburgh questions 288 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:38.080 here for you, right A lot of the focus, rightfully, so, 289 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:40.120 is there on the offense, especially with the you know, 290 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:42.399 the quarterback changes. And I do want to get your 291 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:45.279 take on Russell Wilson and what he brings to this 292 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:47.919 offense and how he has performed, at least in the 293 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:50.039 two starts that he's had here in Pittsburgh. But I 294 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.600 also want to ask you and get your take on 295 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:55.399 this defense, this Pittsburgh defense, namely kind of in the 296 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:57.919 first half of games and also when it comes to 297 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:02.240 stopping teams on third downs. Obviously, the defense has been 298 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:04.759 really well when it comes to I mean, obviously third 299 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.799 quarters they're holding teams to zero points, but just second 300 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:10.919 half in general, this team really dominates on defense. 301 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.960 What do you what do you contribute? 302 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:17.320 At least from my perspective, kind of a slower start 303 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:20.360 there in the first half of these games for the defense. 304 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.919 Well, one thing is they got to show up the 305 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:25.960 run game it you know, teams are coming out Dallas 306 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:28.320 did it to them, and then the Giants the other day. 307 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:31.159 Teams that you don't expect to run the football that 308 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:34.399 well against Pittsburgh had done it. Yea, And so you 309 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:36.279 got a couple of weeks here. You better figure it 310 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:38.080 out during this off week because you know, in two 311 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:41.279 weeks are playing you know, the Ravens who do nothing 312 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:45.279 but run the football till everybody they're doing so you know, 313 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:47.039 they got to figure it out here pretty fast. But 314 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:49.600 I think part of it is just guys are getting 315 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:52.279 out of their gaps and are just the run laying. 316 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:55.039 Integrity is not there, and I think, you know, they're 317 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:57.279 just just getting killed on that back side of it. 318 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:59.720 And you saw that the other night against the Giants, 319 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:02.000 and so I think that's the number one thing they 320 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.879 got to get better at stopping the run and then 321 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:06.600 allowing those chunk plays. When they do it, seems like 322 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:09.480 they'll have a team second and you know, and I 323 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.840 think part of us because they got such a great 324 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:13.360 pass rush, but they'll have a team second and fifteen 325 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:15.679 and they're thinking, Okay, they're gonna throw the football and 326 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:18.919 then guys just rush up field. And the Giants killed 327 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:21.879 them with the delayed draw, and so did Dallas, and 328 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:24.879 so there's an issue there self. Scouting this week's going 329 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:27.320 to be able to find it probably what's actually happening, 330 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:30.759 so they can concentrate on fixing it. They did a 331 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:33.360 better job adjusting to that, I think, more so in 332 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:36.519 the second half, even though they did give that long 333 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:39.919 touchdown run when they got up two scores there, So 334 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:43.159 you know, that's part of the problem for him on defense. 335 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:46.120 But then they you know, they make adjustments, and that's 336 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:48.159 one good thing they've been good after this year. And 337 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.679 like you said, they've been good at getting off the 338 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:53.000 field when those opportunities have come up, and that's been 339 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:55.519 much better this year too. Limiting the penalties as well. 340 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.879 You know, the Steelers don't don't. They don't get penalized 341 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:01.279 too much knock on wood with my jinx and anything here, 342 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:04.720 you know, But they've been really good about, you know, 343 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.279 not being penalized, especially on the big stupid plays like 344 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:12.200 a pass interference penalty or a holding bells out you know, 345 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.519 when the bell out plays is what I call them, Yeah, 346 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.039 you know, And so they they've been real good about 347 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:20.079 limiting those things. And then of course, guys, they got T. J. 348 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:23.799 Watt and if teams would start allowing, would start official 349 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:28.319 would called a hole at least. Yeah, I think I 350 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.279 think it would least help this. I can't. I've been 351 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:35.400 keeping a running count throughout the last five or six teams, 352 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:38.039 and so like, the Steelers will get called on the 353 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:40.480 average three times for holding during the game and the 354 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:43.079 opposing team only one. And I'm sitting there thinking, are 355 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:45.079 you trying to tell me that the Steelers pass rush 356 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.920 on defense is not as good as the other teams. 357 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:49.240 I mean, I don't believe that to be the case. 358 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:52.319 Obviously he's got t J. Watt and Alex high Smith 359 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.039 and Alex high Smith by the way, twelve pressures. 360 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:59.160 The other day, he was a crazy game those Jets, 361 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:02.519 those Giants off offensive tackles that I know. Alamelor was 362 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:05.200 sort of saying, I'm ready, I'm ready. 363 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.160 Afterwards he came back, he said he didn't do anything. 364 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.039 I held him on an island. 365 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:11.880 I was there by constantly. It's amazing. Dexter Lauren. I 366 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:15.759 mean they kept him in check. Dexter huh. He unbelievably 367 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:18.319 led the league in sacks coming to that game with nine. 368 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.720 A Clemson product will, I mean, this guy's been on 369 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.680 fire this year. 370 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:24.799 Well, they did a good job against Dexter Lawrence, says 371 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:28.960 Night as far as not letting him sack Russell Wilson. Yeah, 372 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:33.000 but he's still but Dexter Lawrence still dominated that game there. 373 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:36.240 He was still there. He was making plays. Dexter Lawrence 374 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:38.519 is just unbelievable. There's one play where he took the 375 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:46.720 Steelers center and right guard shoved him aside. It was 376 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:49.279 it was unbelievable. He's that. He is so fun to 377 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:51.599 watch play. Man. I wish he was wearing black and gold, 378 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:54.440 I know it, and not that blue and white, because man, 379 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.880 he was. Man, if you had him with Cam Haywood, 380 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:01.279 forget about, it would be fair. Forget about you know, 381 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:03.000 in the middle of that defense, it wouldn't be fair. 382 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:05.799 So yeah, dex is launch playing well. But I thought 383 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:08.720 I thought Russell Wilson, you know, in the offense, I 384 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:11.920 thought was much better. Again, as they continue to get better, 385 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:14.200 I was a guy in the camp you know that. 386 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.519 You know, with Russell Wilson got healthy, you need to 387 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:18.920 put him in the lineup and you and because I 388 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:21.799 felt like the offense needed that because he just sees 389 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:24.960 the game better than justin field. Bill gives you, Yeah, 390 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:27.279 the electrifying runs and stuff like that, and that's great. 391 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:30.000 But the NFL is about passing the football, and you 392 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.559 got to be able to throw the football. If not, 393 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:33.680 teams are gonna just load up the box and eventually 394 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:38.079 going to stop you. Dominant. Yeah, look how dominant you know, 395 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:42.000 Nagie Harris has been. Now you know, you're getting better 396 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:44.799 and better each week. And so I mean, and George 397 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:48.599 Pickens now and and and Donnelle Washington. Oh my gosh, 398 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:50.599 you know these weapons are coming out of nowhere, and 399 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:52.400 those students were this good. I'm like, yes they are. 400 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:54.759 They just didn't quarterback. I could throw it to him. 401 00:19:56.559 --> 00:20:00.440