TCI Game Day – Appalachian State
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net September 12, 2015

CLEMSON – It’s Game Day in Death Valley where the Tigers host Appalachian State.

Location: Memorial Stadium (Death Valley)

Kickoff:  12:30 PM

Television:   ESPN 3

2015 Record: Clemson  1-0  Appalachian State 1-0

ACC Record: Clemson 0-0

Series History: Clemson leads 4-0

Last Meeting:  Clemson 23 Appalachian State 12 in 1997

Win Streaks

Appalachian State is on a seven game winning streak going back to last season when they won their final six games.  That is the fifth longest win streak in the nation.

Clemson is on a four game winning streak going back to last season which is good enough for ninth best in the nation.

Good Start for Hyatt

Mitch Hyatt was the first true freshman to start at left tackle for the Tigers since 1944. Hyatt had a great first start grading out at 92 percent.  He was one of the starters who saw the Tigers score six touchdowns on six possessions.

28 in a row

The Tigers have now won 28 straight against unranked opponents.  That is the longest streak in Clemson history.  All of the wins have been by at least four points, the longest streak of that kind in the nation.

Alabama has the longest streak overall against unranked opponents at 54.

Winning Indicators

  • Clemson is 55-5 under coach Swinney when the Tigers win the total offense statistic, including 40-2 the last five years
  • Clemson is 36-4 under coach Swinney when the Tigers win the turnover battle
  • Clemson is 22-1 in the last 23 games when they have at least 300 passing yards
  • Clemson is 39-0 the last five years when the Tigers have more first downs
  • Clemson is 54-3 under coach Swinney, including 38-0 the last five years when leading going into the fourth quarter

Just one returning starter

Clemson has just one returning starter, Ryan Norton, on the offensive line.  The last time the Tigers had only one returning on the OL was 2008 when Clemson finished 7-6.

Seventh Best in Nation

Clemson has a 42-11 record the last four years which it tied for seventh best in the nation.  The Tigers have had four straight ten win seasons for just the second time in school history.  Alabama, Oregon and Northern Illinois are the only other schools that have accomplished that mark.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 55 Appalachian State 17

Will – Clemson 45 Appalachian State 13

Qualk – Clemson 48 Appalachian State 17

Hale – Clemson 42 Appalachian State 17

Ed – Clemson 55 Appalachian State 20