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Experts have seemingly yelled from the mountain tops how they had no idea how Auburn was 2-0 and how this lucky streak had to come to an end.

Saturday, it did and boy did it ever.

After picking up two quick first quarter touchdowns, Auburn seemed to be in control on both sides of the ball. Clemson kept coming back and found themselves in a 21-21 tie at the half.

For Clemson, the second half would prove to be difference maker. Suddenly, Auburn found itself on the other side of a 14-point deficit and the defense’s biggest problems became evident—missed tackles and assignments.

As Clemson drove the field, late in the third, to put some more distance between itself and the other Tigers, its freshman receiver, Sammy Watkins, went from being potentially dropped for a loss out of the backfield to eluding three tackles and picking up the first down. Watkins would later be left wide open to score the touchdown that put Clemson up by a second possession.

Watkins (10 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns receiving and seven carries for 44 yards) was a big reason Clemson pulled off the upset, but make no mistake, Auburn helped their fellow Tigers pick up the win.

Offensively, Auburn was a well-oiled machine in the first quarter. Then something happened after that first quarter and Clemson figured Auburn out. Even with the great play by running back Michael Dyer, series after series stalled and in the remaining three quarters, the Auburn could only muster 10 points while Clemson scored 38 points.

Clemson’s potent offense got tons of help from more than just Watkins. They got it from quarterback Tahj Boyd, who was 30-42 for 386 yards and four touchdowns.

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