We all know about our track record in this area so I figured I would check out Clemson's.
Clemson had 3 wins of note this year.
Their 1st was at home against Notre Dame who had lost its starting QB 2 games before. Their back-up had beaten GT and UMASS both at home in the weeks leading up to Clemson. After giving up a healthy lead, Clemson was able to hold off a 2 pt conversion attempt that would have tied the game and sent it into overtime.
Their 2nd was at home against FSU who had lost its starting QB 1 game before. Their back-up beat Syracuse at home the week before Clemson. This game was back and forth much of the way and Clemson held on for a 10 point victory.
Their 3rd was in the ACC Championship game against UNC. UNC had beaten 1 ranked opponent (Pitt) and earned victories over to FCS teams over the course of the season. UNC's QB is ranked #20 in ESPN's TQR category 1 spot behind Tennessee's Josh Dobbs.
Analysis: Like OU, Clemson had the majority of its big wins against back-up QBs. However, Clemson played these teams at home as opposed to OU who played 3-4 of its such games on the road. Clemson's 1 signature win against a quality QB came against a team with only 1 win against a ranked opponent and 2 wins against FCS competition on a neutral field. This QB was ranked 1 spot behind Tennessee's Josh Dobbs in ESPN's TQR. OU beat Dobbs' UT squad on the road in front of a hostile (100,000+) SEC crowd in week 2.
Clemson had 3 wins of note this year.
Their 1st was at home against Notre Dame who had lost its starting QB 2 games before. Their back-up had beaten GT and UMASS both at home in the weeks leading up to Clemson. After giving up a healthy lead, Clemson was able to hold off a 2 pt conversion attempt that would have tied the game and sent it into overtime.
Their 2nd was at home against FSU who had lost its starting QB 1 game before. Their back-up beat Syracuse at home the week before Clemson. This game was back and forth much of the way and Clemson held on for a 10 point victory.
Their 3rd was in the ACC Championship game against UNC. UNC had beaten 1 ranked opponent (Pitt) and earned victories over to FCS teams over the course of the season. UNC's QB is ranked #20 in ESPN's TQR category 1 spot behind Tennessee's Josh Dobbs.
Analysis: Like OU, Clemson had the majority of its big wins against back-up QBs. However, Clemson played these teams at home as opposed to OU who played 3-4 of its such games on the road. Clemson's 1 signature win against a quality QB came against a team with only 1 win against a ranked opponent and 2 wins against FCS competition on a neutral field. This QB was ranked 1 spot behind Tennessee's Josh Dobbs in ESPN's TQR. OU beat Dobbs' UT squad on the road in front of a hostile (100,000+) SEC crowd in week 2.
