Clemson Football: Final observations from Charleston Southern

Clemson was not playing to their full potential as a whole with the score 24-17 at halftime. Everyone would have understood if it was Florida State but Charleston Southern is inexcusable. Having a pick-six in the first quarter and then seeing that Charleston Southern team go back in their locker room at halftime thinking they can compete with Clemson is a distasteful sight to see for anyone associated with the Tigers.

Cade Klubnik showed his true potential. After his interception early in the first quarter Klubnik showed that he could potentially be amongst the elite quarterbacks in the country at the end of this season. Klubnik took command of the offense and showed that he could push the ball vertically, putting it only where his receivers could get it. 315 yards in the air to go along with four touchdowns shows that his confidence and this offense's confidence were boosted tremendously.

Beaux Collins can push Adam Randall for WR1. The six-foot-three junior out of Los Angeles showed out on Saturday with 7 receptions 137 receiving yards and a touchdown. When you think of the great receivers that have come through Clemson in the past decade you think of the big bodies and great contested catchers high-pointing the football. This is a great sight to see because we have all seen the potential with Collins but it seems like the time is now for him to put it all together when this team desperately needs a big-body receiver.

Phil Mafah did a great job utilizing his time on the field with 9 carries 59 yards and 2 touchdowns. When you have seen the last couple of championship teams you have seen a star running back like Shipley but they also needed a great complementary back and that is where Mafah comes in. Mafah is the bruiser, or better yet, the thunder to Shipley’s lighting. If Mafah can continue his success he can make this run game go from good to great.

Putting up a shutout in the second half of this game while putting up 42 points shows that if they put together all the components of the game before the Seminoles come to town the Tigers could give them a true test with the rowdy fans behind them at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers know that the national media will keep an eye on them and if they continue their momentum from the second half of this game to their games moving forward you can expect the Tigers to make a run at the CFP.