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Replies: 8
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Team Captain [465]
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2018 vs 2016 Teams: Who wins?
Dec 30, 2018, 10:40 AM
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Just for fun, how does our 2018 team match up against on 2016 National Champs? Some thoughts:
DEFENSE:
- D-Line: Same players, 2 years more experienced. Edge: 2018
- LBs: Great talent both years, but the leadership of Boulware is hard to overcome. Slight edge to 2016.
- Secondary: Similar Corner strength, but Safeties were more consistent in 2016. Edge: 2016
Overall: Slight Edge 2016
OFFENSE:
- O-Line: Despite starting off shaky, the 2018 line is cohesive and strong with pass protection, anchored with now-veteran Hyatt. 2016 line got the job done, but DW4's elusiveness was critical. Edge: 2018
- Receivers: Renfrow et al vs.... Renfrow et al. Cain and McCloud vs Higgins and Ross. Edge: Draw
- RB: Gallman was a violent runner that could almost guarantee 4 yards. ETN can break away. The difference is a stronger rotation for 2018 to keep ETN fresh. Edge: 2018
- QB: DW4, the legend, vs T-Law, hopefully a future legend. Edge: 2016.
Overall: Edge to 2018
SPECIAL TEAMS: Uggh, let's not even talk about it.
OVERALL: Extremely slight advantage to 2018, due entirely to consistency. Won every game that TLaw started in (and didn't go out to injury) by at least 20 points.
Thoughts? Comments? Amusing anecdotes?
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110%er [7114]
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Interesting comparison
Dec 30, 2018, 10:51 AM
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The stats being what they are, to me it feels like the 2016 team was better. Ironically the best player in Clemson history played his two worst games the same year we won the national championship. If Deshaun puts in his average performance against NC State and Pitt that year, there is no comparison and the 2016 Clemson team is amongst the best college football teams of all time.
Still for me, the 2016 team was better because of experience on offense. The ACC was much better that year IMO.
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Team Captain [465]
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Re: Interesting comparison
Dec 30, 2018, 10:53 AM
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That's a good point. While not as consistent, the 2016 team played a harder slate that year - we went through a BRUISING schedule to make it to Alabama, and had the big-stage experience.
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Orange Blooded [2191]
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I only disagree with the WRs being a draw
Dec 30, 2018, 10:58 AM
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Ross and Higgins are clearly better than Cain and McCloud, if not younger and less experienced. Renfrow is probably better this year, but everyone knows who he is now. Everything else, and the end result, I would agree slight to 2016 right now. That said, we have one more game point in a few days to really tell this tale.
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Team Captain [465]
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Re: I only disagree with the WRs being a draw
Dec 30, 2018, 11:05 AM
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Yeah, WR was a tough one. Like you said, it's effectively skill vs experience. I was leaning 2018 as a result, but one point I didn't mentioned was TE play in 2016, which was vastly superior. So I figure that all kinda washes out.
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Legend [16851]
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Williams and Leggett
Dec 30, 2018, 11:11 AM
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Guillermo and Crowder
Those four and experience against a Bama D staked to a 14-0 lead...and yet they overcame.
This '18 team could be scary good next year.
I could argue this year's defense is better than the '16 edition.
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All-American [574]
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Re: 2018 vs 2016 Teams: Who wins?
Dec 30, 2018, 11:07 AM
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That's a tough question. But I give the edge to 2016. But it's a very slight edge. 2018 defense is better. 2016 offense is better in every area except QB. TLaw is a great talent. But DW4 had the experience edge.
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Asst Coach [706]
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Re: 2018 vs 2016 Teams: Who wins?
Dec 30, 2018, 11:14 AM
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I think the comparison should be with the 2015 team. The one major problem was special teams - enough to give Bama great field position consistently. This is the area I'm most concerned about and could be the difference in the game.
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110%er [7114]
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2015 team was great too!!
Dec 30, 2018, 11:18 AM
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And if Bama doesn’t get a fluky kickoff return for TD or recover an onside kick, we’re all talking about that team being the best ever.
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