5 Keys To Clemson Winning Orange Bowl

What does Clemson need to do to win the Orange Bowl? What are the five keys for the Tigers?

Orange Bowl: 5 Keys For Clemson

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1. Punish Baker Mayfield

The Tigers want to hammer Mayfield, whose improvisational skill is one of his strongest attributes. When he leaves the pocket, Clemson must make him pay for it with a level of physicality and aggression that accumulates as the game wears on. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables likes to dial up the pressure from every level, so ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, linebackers Ben Boulware and B.J. Goodson and S Jayron Kearse will all be looking to get a piece of No. 6.

2. Score Six in the Red Zone

Beating Oklahoma, which ended the regular season as hot as any team in the country, is going to require red-zone touchdowns rather than Greg Huegel field goal attempts. Since losing on Oct. 10, the Sooners have averaged a staggering 52 points per game behind a balanced attack. And while the Clemson D will present a very stiff challenge, it’s Deshaun Watson and the Clemson playmakers who’ll have to execute in the event that the Orange Bowl turns into a track meet.

3. Force Third and Unmanageable

When the Sooners have the ball, the onus will fall on the Clemson defense to win first and second downs. Because on third downs, only Boston College was stingier than the Tigers in the regular season. Opponents converted less than 25% of their third-down tries against Clemson, testament to the play of an air-tight secondary. CB Mackensie Alexander and SS Jayron Kearse headline a unit allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete only 46.1% of their throws. And in obvious passing situations, the defensive backfield is distinctly tougher to crack.

4. Protect the Offensive Backfield

The Clemson O-line has exceeded expectations all year long. It’s a trend that must continue Thursday at Sun Life Stadium. If Deshaun Watson is under constant pressure, the Tigers’ perfect season probably dies in Miami. Plus, Dabo Swinney really wants to utilize RB Wayne Gallman as a complement to his star quarterback. However, Oklahoma is littered with front seven playmakers, like DE Charles Tapper, DT Charles Walker and hybrid OLB Eric Striker, who must be accounted for at all times.

5. Avoid Costly Turnovers

Turnovers matter. Turnovers always matter. And that ought to unnerve Clemson, which has lost the ball 25 times this season to rank among the nation’s worst in the category. Oh, and to make matters even more precarious, Oklahoma ranks No. 17 nationally in takeaways, including 19 interceptions. Deshaun Watson is a wunderkind, but he can force throws every now and again. And if he does this week, Sooner DBs Zach Sanchez, Jordan Thomas and Ahmad Thomas are liable to make him pay for it.