Clemson OC Tony Elliott Won't Travel to Sugar Bowl Due to COVID-19 Protocols

Clemson will be without offensive coordinator Tony Elliott for Friday's Sugar Bowl clash with Ohio State. The school announced Wednesday that Elliott will miss the game because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols. 

According to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel, the Tigers are tentatively looking at passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter to call the plays on offense.

This is the second big game in which Clemson will be without a notable offensive figure. The team's lone loss to Notre Dame came as D.J. Uiagalelei was filling in for Trevor Lawrence.

However, ESPN's David M. Hale noted the Tigers have responded positively to sudden setbacks ahead of the College Football Playoff in recent years:

Elliott is widely considered one of the top coordinators in college football. He won the Broyles Award, handed out to the best assistant coach, in 2017, and he's regularly linked to whatever prominent head coaching gig opens up.

Clemson is averaging 507.6 yards and 44.9 points per game, both top-10 marks in the FBS, and the fact that the offense went for 473 yards against the Fighting Irish without Lawrence is a testament to Elliott's coaching.

The top FBS programs have a deep well of coaches, and Streeter has been on the staff since 2014. He's familiar with the scheme. Still, Elliott's absence is likely to be felt.

According to Thamel, Clemson is optimistic Elliott will be back for the CFP National Championship on Jan. 11. The No. 2 Tigers will first have to get past the No. 3 Buckeyes at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.