Through the first three games of the season, 11th-ranked Clemson has not had the opportunity to throw the ball deep. Why?
Wofford, App State and Louisville in most occasions played eight men in coverage and forced the Tigers to nickel-and-dime their way down the field. The Tigers executed well enough to win all three games, while averaging 36.7 points and 442.0 yards per game.
But odds are Clemson will not see too much zone coverage when its hosts No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday in Death Valley. Despite giving up more than 200 yards a game through the air, the Irish like to run a lot of press-man, which has co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, a former wide receiver at Clemson, a little excited.