CLEMSON — Virginia used to be the team Clemson Legend Frank Howard called “White Meat.”
Why?
The Tigers won the first 29 games in the series and in most cases won easily. This was the automatic win for No. 10 Clemson for so many years.
However, leave it to a former Tiger and Clemson coach to want to change that image. Tony Elliott returns to Memorial Stadium for the first time since taking over the Wahoos following the 2021 season. The Cavaliers are a late Louisville touchdown from coming into Death Valley undefeated in ACC play.
On Saturday, Elliott will become the 15th head coach all-time to face Clemson after having previously coached the Tigers in either a head coaching or assistant coaching capacity. He will become the fourth former Clemson player to face the Tigers as a head coach, joining Jules Carson (Wofford), Bobby Johnson (Furman) and Mike O’Cain (NC State).
Virginia (4-2, 2-1 ACC) at No. 10 Clemson (5-1, 4-0 ACC)
Kickoff: Saturday, Noon
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ACCN
Spread: Clemson -21.5
Over/Under: 58.5
Series: Clemson leads series 40-8-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Clemson is looking to improve to 5-0 in the ACC and keep its grip on the league standings. Virginia needs a win to stay alive in the conference race, while also moving a step closer to bowl eligibility, something no one thought was possible at the start of the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson’s defense is going to have its hands full trying to contain Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea. The sophomore is full of energy and is the spark for the Cavaliers offense. In last week’s close loss to Louisville, he threw for 279 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 84 yards. Earlier this year, he completed a career-high 33 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Wake Forest.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Last week, Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool caught seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ win over Wake Forest. Briningstool has been one of quarterback Cade Klubnik’s top targets and that should not change against a Virginia defense that has struggled to defend the tight end all season.
Virginia wide receiver Malachi Fields has been a problem for everyone this season. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior ranks third in the ACC with 37 receptions for 541 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 90.2 yards per game. Last week, he finished with nine catches for 129 yards against Louisville, his third 100-yard game of the season.
THIS AND THAT
Clemson is attempting to win a sixth consecutive game against Virginia for the first time since opening its all-time series against the Cavaliers with a 29-game winning streak across the 1955-’89 seasons. The Tigers’ 29-game winning streak is tied for the sixth-longest winning streak in FBS history for one team over another and the second-longest in a series that did not take place over uninterrupted consecutive seasons.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Tony Elliott definitely has Virginia playing better and the Cavaliers are more than capable of winning this game. However, Clemson is playing at a high level and still has way better players than the Cavaliers. Virginia will give the Tigers fits for a little while, but in the end the Tigers should be able to gain control of the game and wear down the Wahoos. Look for Klubnik and the Clemson receivers to make plays against a Virginia defense that ranks 15th in the ACC against the pass (260.5 ypg).
PREDICTION
Clemson 41, Virginia 20