CLEMSON, S.C. -- For most of Saturday's second half, Deshaun Watson played analyst. He’d watch a play unfold from the sideline, turn to one of the backup quarterbacks standing next to him and offer some insight. This was fine. His presence on the field was unnecessary in a 54-0 Clemson victory over Syracuse.
A shoulder bruise sent Watson to the sideline late in the second quarter and kept him there the rest of the way -- available but not needed, still in full uniform -- so the day wasn’t without a setback. Beyond that though?