By Will Vandervort.
By Will Vandervort
CLEMSON — Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Saturday’s Virginia Tech at Clemson game.
Quarterback: Tajh Boyd leads the ACC in passing average, total offense average and is second in the conference in touchdown passes thrown. He is also much better in knowing when to run the football and that makes Clemson that much better on offense. Logan Thomas is fourth in the conference in total offense and has thrown for 1,703 yards and 12 touchdowns. But he is completing only 53.6 percent of his passes and six of his eight interceptions this year have come on the road. Advantage: Clemson
Running back: Clemson’s Andre Ellington leads the ACC in rushing average and has scored six rushing touchdowns. He is also becoming a more vital threat in the passing game with 137 yards on seven catches. Virginia Tech freshman J.C .Coleman sparked life in what was almost a non-existent running game when he rushed for 183 yards and scored two touchdowns, including an 86-yard run in the Hokies win over Duke. Advantage: Clemson
Wide receiver / Tight ends: DeAndre Hopkins leads the ACC and ranks among the leaders in receptions, reception yards and touchdowns nationally. One wonders how big those numbers can grow now that fellow receiver Sammy Watkins is at full strength, again? Tight end Brandon Ford says he is about 90 percent after spraining his ankle against Georgia Tech two weeks ago. Spilt end Marcus Davis is putting up some solid numbers for the Hokies with 27 catches for 585 yards and four touchdowns. Virginia Tech tight ends Ryan Malleck and Randell Dunn have been nice check down targets for Thomas. Advantage: Clemson
Offensive line: Clemson is back to full strength on the offensive line for the first time since fall camp began in August. Gif Timothy’ knee seems to be ready to go at right tackle, while right guard Tyler Shatley (ankle), left guard David Beasley (knee) and center Dalton Freeman (thumb) are all healthy for the second half of the season. Virginia Tech will be without center Caleb Farris (ankle), but left guard David Wang (knee/ankle) is list as probable and will likely play. Advantage: Clemson
Defensive line: Derrick Hopkins (6-0, 306) is the big body in the middle of Bud Foster’s 4-3 scheme. The Hokies held Duke to 22 yards rushing last week and the line did a much better job getting pressure without the help of blitzing linebackers. It will be interesting to see what the Tigers will do this week with Tavaris Barns at defensive end. Does he get the start over Malliciah Goodman? Regardless, Tigers will have their hands full if they cannot bring down Thomas or get any pressure. Advantage: Virginia Tech
Linebackers: I get the feeling we will see the robber scheme—using a safety or two safeties to drop underneath of a receiver who already has a corner covering over top of him—more this week than what Foster has run this season. If so, Tech’s linebacker play will be crucial on how the Hokies will try to confuse Boyd and Clemson’s wide receivers. Also, this makes Tech more vulnerable to the run if Clemson is able to pick up what Foster is doing. Clemson’s backers continue to improve each week and will get even better now that Tony Steward has earned more time on the weak side. Advantage: Virginia Tech
Secondary: Like I mentioned before, watch out for the robber defense this week. I just can’t see Foster playing a lot of Cover 1—man-to-man with a safety over the top—as he has the past few weeks. He knows Clemson can torch his secondary if that look is shown consistently. So far, the Tech secondary has eight interceptions for the year, led by cornerback Kyle Fuller who has two. Clemson’s Travis Blanks should start at safety for a second straight week, while Garry Peters will start at the second corner spot opposite Xavier Brewer and Bashaud Breeland. Advantage: Virginia Tech
Special teams: Virginia Tech’s special teams have always been a trademark of head coach Frank Beamer, but the Hokies have slipped in this area a little bit the past couple of years. But this year, Beamer Ball seems to be in full affect. The Hokies already have a punt return and a kickoff return for a score this year, while kicker Cody Journell is 9-for-10 on field goals, including 3-for-3 from 40-49 yards out. Chandler Catanzaro is 11-for-11 on field goal attempts this year. Advantage: Virginia Tech
Prediction: Remember earlier this week when Dabo Swinney said he wants the crowd to show up early because they are going to need the whole 81,500 for four quarters? Well, he was right. Virginia Tech is a better football team than what the record shows and they are coming into Death Valley this week to cause problems. They want revenge, plus they are playing for their championship lives. I think Clemson can win this game, but the offense and special teams have to play nearly flawless. Too many turnovers and mistakes in the kicking game will definitely beat the Tigers this week if they are not careful. I think they will be careful, which is why I have Clemson winning in a close game. Clemson 34, Virginia Tech 30