CLEMSON – When Virginia visits No. 10 Clemson on Saturday, there will be no shortage of storylines. Many of them off the field.

Tony Elliott and Kobe Pace make their returns to Death Valley for the first time since leaving the program. Dabo Swinney faces one of his former assistants as a head coach for the first time ever. C.J. Spiller will also be inducted into the Ring of Honor prior to the start of the contest. Emotions will be high for many.

However, there is still a football game to be played and once that ball is kicked off just after noon, that’s where everyone’s focus will be. The Cavaliers come in at 4-2 overall and their 2-1 league mark has Elliott’s team very much in the hunt for an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. Although, to continue that march to Charlotte, the Cavs will very likely need to beat the Tigers on Saturday and that won’t be an easy feat.

Clemson (5-1, 4-0) is more than a 20-point favorite for a reason. Despite this Virginia team being much-improved and featuring a dangerous Anthony Colandrea at quarterback, the Tigers are flat out the better team along the lines of scrimmage.

Thanks to Matt Luke, Clemson is having a lot of success up front. This offensive line is playing at a level not seen in quite some time. Led by Phil Mafah, the Tigers are rushing for 200 yards per game. The Cavs rank 48th nationally in run defense, allowing 123.3 yards per contest, but they have yet to face a team as talented as the Tigers.

Where the improved play up front is really making a difference is with the passing game. During the current five game winning streak, Cade Klubnik is now looking like the quarterback most expected him to be. Clemson’s 41.0 points per game is good for 12th in the country and Klubnik’s QBR of 88.3 is fifth-highest in the nation.

With Virginia’s pass defense currently ranked No. 111 nationally, this matchup should provide the Tigers’ passing attack another opportunity to have a lot of success. This Cavaliers’ secondary will have problems with Clemson’s group of receivers, even if Bryant Wesco is held another week.

Where the Tigers could have some issues is on the defensive side of the ball and trying to contain Colandrea. The sophomore quarterback is capable of doing some damage with his legs, particularly when teams allow him to get outside of the pocket and the Tigers have had some issues getting the edge set against the more athletic quarterbacks.

It will also be interesting to see how the Clemson secondary plans to defend senior wideout Malachi Fields, who comes in averaging more than 90 receiving yards per game. Avieon Terrell has been more than solid at one of the corner spots, but there has been some inconsistency at times on the opposite side. Although, Jeadyn Lukus was really good last week in the blowout win over Wake Forest.

At the end of the day, Clemson is just the better team. The Tigers’ offense will prove to be too much for the Virginia defense, and while Colandrea is bound to make some plays, it won’t be nearly enough.

Clemson 38 Virginia 17

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!