Why Iowa State Will Win The Cheez-It Bowl
Forgetting all of the coaching changes and lost parts, Clemson has a bigger issue – it’s offense isn’t anything special.
It got better. It went from brutally painful to occasionally great late in the year, but that’s partly because the defenses it faced – UConn and Wake Forest – would give up 400 yards to you and everyone at your holiday party.
Iowa State’s defense was tenth in the nation allowing just 310 yards per game and was particularly strong against the pass. Clemson’s offense struggled to move, didn’t control the clock, and didn’t have any one thing it could consistently count on.
There won’t be anything big happening down the field, Iowa State has the veteran defense that likes to make statements, and there won’t be any real worry of the Tiger offense taking over.
But …
CFN Predictions | 2021-2022 Bowl Schedule
Bowl Season Players To Watch & Know
Why Clemson Will Win The Cheez-It Bowl
The biggest player missing is on the Iowa State side.
The Cyclones always have productive running backs waiting in the wings, but you don’t get better losing Breece Hall. The star back ran for close to 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns, and now he’s out getting ready for the NFL.
No, the Clemson offense hasn’t been anything amazing, but the defense was terrific throughout the year. There might not be a slew of household-name stars, but there are plenty of talented, prideful parts who have been through the wars.
The Tigers – for all of their issues overall – were still second in the nation in scoring defense behind Georgia, allowed 308 yards per game, and were brilliant at generating consistent pressure.
The run defense allowed fewer than 100 yards per game, and now it’s job is to stop Jirehl Brock – a talented young option, but he ran for roughly 1,300 fewer yards this year than Hall.
Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History