Florida State vs. Clemson: 5 Reasons Tigers Boast Best Offense in CFB

Through four games, Clemson's offense is averaging over 500 yards and almost 40 points per game. Looks like hiring Gus Malzahn's protege, Chad Morris, as his offensive coordinator may have been the best move of Dabo Swinney's career.  

In fact, Morris and the Tigers' new offense probably saved Swinney's job.  

Here's five reasons why it is the best in the country.  

Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins is the crown jewel of Clemson’s stellar 2011 recruiting class. The freshman phenom and former Florida State track champion is taking college football by storm.  In back-to-back games against ranked opponents, he has snagged four TDs to go along with 296 yards receiving. 

Not only is Watkins fast (sub-4.5 40), he is tough as nails.  It seems to always take two or three guys to bring him down.  Imagine what he will be able to do after an offseason working with Clemson’s strength and conditioning program.

If he sticks around for four years, this kid could find his name on quite a few Heisman short lists.

Chad Morris

You would never guess that three years ago, Chad Morris was coaching high school football.  After a stellar college debut as Tulsa’s offensive coordinator, Dabo Swinney gave Gus Malzahn's protege the keys to a BCS offense. 

So far, Morris has shown no growing pains making the jump from Conference USA to the ACC.  Through four games, Morris has the Tigers averaging almost 40 points and over 500 yards per game. 

Andre Ellington

Ellington was probably a little concerned about the arrival of Chad Morris and his pass-happy offense. However, his hard-nosed runs are the key to keeping defensive linemen on their heels.   Ellington dominated short-yardage situations throughout the Florida State game.  When the Tigers got down inside the 5-yard line late in the second half, he was the go-to-guy and responded by punching it in.

Offensive Line

Behind every great offense is a great offensive line. 

The big boys up front proved they can hang with college football’s best against Florida State, as they repeatedly dominated the line of scrimmage in short-yardage situations and kept Tajh Boyd clean.  Perhaps what is most impressive has been their ability to adjust to the pace of Morris’ offense.  It is not easy for 300-pound gentleman to play in a no-huddle offense.

Tajh Boyd

As Dabo Swinney so eloquently put it last week, Boyd is "Cooool" under pressure, can run and has a accurate rocket for an arm.  This kid is arguably a better quarterback (not football player) than Cam Newton.