CLEMSON — From this point going forward, every game on Clemson’s schedule is going to be a big one.
On Saturday, the Tigers will try to stay in the ACC Championship Game race as it hosts a very important game against Virginia Tech at Memorial Stadium.
Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) at Clemson (4-2, 2-1 ACC)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.
- TV: ESPN
- Spread: Clemson minus-2.5
- Total: 49.5 points
- Series: Clemson leads series 24-12-1
- Streak: Clemson has won seven straight games in the series
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Tigers are one of five teams with one loss or fewer in ACC play this season. Behind Miami (4-0), that group also includes Wake Forest (4-1), SMU (3-1) and North Carolina (2-1). That quartet of one-loss teams has only two games against one another this season – Clemson’s win over UNC on Sept. 19, and a looming Nov. 14 matchup between Wake Forest and SMU.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson’s offensive line has allowed 17 sacks in six games, which ranks 14th in the ACC. The Hokies lead the ACC and rank 5th nationally with 23 sacks. Virginia Tech also leads the ACC and ranks second nationally with 64 tackles for loss. The Tigers have allowed 46 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, tied for next to last—with the Hokies—in the ACC. Virginia Tech is allowing 87.4 yards on the ground and 2.9 per carry. Clemson is averaging just 4.1 yards per carry and 153.2 per game on the ground.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has been a model of efficiency for the Hokies through six games. He leads the ACC in completions per game (23.9), ranks 4th nationally. He also leads the conference in passing yards (1,984), which is good for 4th in the FBS. The Lewis Center, Ohio native is second in the ACC, T-4th in the FBS in completion percentage (72 .9). His 281.3 yards per game rank 7th among ACC players in total offense and 26th among FBS players. Grunkemeyer is also ranked T-3rd among ACC players in points responsible for (122), and T-8th among FBS players in that category.
Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton has been arguably the most consistent defensive back in the country. He has been the definition of a shutdown corner. He leads the nation with nine passes defended. He also has one interception, 19 tackles and 2 TFLs. In 26 targets, Hampton has allowed just 9 completions (34.6 percent) for 98 yards and 0 TDs. Hampton, who held Miami’s Malachi Toney to one catch for 8 yards on three targets, will likely be assigned to the Hokies’ top wide receiver Que’Sean Brown. Brown leads the Hokies and ranks fourth in the ACC with 46 catches for 616 yards and 3 TDs. His 616 yards also rank fourth in the league.
THIS AND THAT
This will mark the first time since 1980 that Virginia Tech is Clemson’s Homecoming opponent. Clemson won the 1980 game 13-10. The Tigers are 5-1 all-time against the Hokies on Homecoming. The one loss came in 1924 – Clemson’s third Homecoming at the time. The Tigers have defeated Virginia Tech five straight times on Homecoming.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Sometimes a team just matches up well with one team better than against others. I think that is the case in this game. Personally, I think the Tigers match up well with the Hokies on both sides of the ball. What Virginia Tech wants to do is what Clemson can execute the best on. On defense, the Hokies want to get pressure with their front four and stuff the run, which they do well. However, they struggle defending mobile quarterbacks and if they can’t get pressure on the quarterback, they give up big plays in the secondary. Clemson will have opportunities on the backend to make plays, especially if quarterback Tait Reynolds is a serious running threat. Also, with all this talk about Clemson’s lack of a passing game and the inability to throw TD passes, something tells me Reynolds is going to have a big day on Saturday. On the offensive side of the ball, like Clemson, the Hokies struggle at the line of scrimmage. They have given up 19 sacks this year—two less than Clemson has—and 46 TFLs. Their running game averages just 3.9 yards per carry. Their strengths are at wide receiver and at tight end, while Clemson’s strengths come with its rush ends, pressures and their secondary’s ability to cover at a high level in one-on-one situations. When pressured, Grunkemeyer’s numbers have not been as good, and he has been known to put the ball in harms way at times and has been fortunate he does not have more interceptions on his slate. If Clemson gets those opportunities, the Tigers will take advantage of them.
Prediction
Clemson 34, Virginia Tech 20