Clemson Tigers Star Running Back Could Lead Team to Success Against South Carolina

Clemson Tigers They’ll have their work cut out for them in this year’s issue competition week against 15th place South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Tigers have won eight of their last nine games against the state rival Gamecocks. However, this is the last time they face a South Carolina team that has been ranked since 2013. The Gamecocks have won their last four games in the standings.

Both teams still trying make their case What they will do for the college football playoff committee everything they have to get to the top this weekend.

While previewing the massive game, Professional Football FocusDalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick highlighted Clemson star running back Phil Mafah as the most important player on that side of the ball.

South Carolina’s run defense currently ranks 12th in the country, allowing 103.4 yards per game. They also allow just 2.94 yards rushing. If Mafah can move against them, they will be very vulnerable to attack.

The best running back the Gamecocks have faced this season, at least statistically, has been Missouri Tigers senior Nate Noel. This will make Mafah his toughest challenge yet.

Noel has rushed the ball 147 times this season for 779 yards and three touchdowns. He had one of his best outings of the season against South Carolina, collecting 150 yards and a score on 27 attempts.

But the Gamecocks managed to win this one.

Mafah is in the midst of a great season but has slowed down considerably in the last two weeks.

HE closed opposite Pittsburgh PanthersHe gained just 17 yards on 17 carries. He was used very little in last week’s blowout win over the Citadel Bulldogs.

But he does have 1,012 total yards and eight touchdowns on 181 carries. This is his first season to surpass 1,000 yards.

He’s already become a bigger focal point of the offense this season and will need to continue that against South Carolina.

He caught 89 yards on 19 carries against the Gamecocks last season. While it was a solid day, he will probably need to do better.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against a very good secondary from South Carolina, so any attention Mafah can get him will help the Tigers’ offense as a whole.