Even if their O isn't as good and our D is better, which is what I think is marginally the case, they should be expected to score about 42 with no turnovers. We got beat a lot worse than the 24-43 score shows last year.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=400756948
Their O did what they wanted last year and could have scored a lot more. They played the second string in the 4th quarter. They gave up 2 fumbles and one int. And they still got 41 points on O (2 were a D safety). So our D can be better,
and with no turnovers still give up 6 TDs. That's how big the gap was last year. Clemson leading 33-10 at the half. Note that if Clemson has 3 turnovers again, I'd put them at 30 points or so.
Our O scored 10 points when the game was in question and 3 were a gift. Our first FG was after a fumble recovery on the 20 and a 3 and out. In the third qtr, Gtotsis got a fumble and took in from 22 yards out. And we got a trash time TD in the 4th qtr with the score 43-17. Also we gave up a saftey in the first qtr.
This is why CPJ said at a presser this week that Clemson beat us a lot worse than the score indicated.
@Whiskey_Clear is right that to use last year's game is folly, but IIWII as past performance is what I use. There aren't enough games this year to really know. This year we had a close game with BC who stunk against VT. Clemson won a close one with Auburn, who also lost to #10 Texas A&M. We weren't in the same league last year with Clemson. We'll see tonight if we are. I expect a competitive game unlike last year.