CLEMSON — The question of the day is will Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik play or not.

As of Friday night, Klubnik was listed questionable with a ankle injury. Head coach Dabo Swinney said earlier this week that the decision to play his star quarterback will be a game-time decision.

If Klubnik can’t go, sophomore Christopher Vizzina will likely get the nod.

“If Cade can’t go, CV is the guy for sure,” Swinney said. “He will have to go get it done, and we’ve got confidence that he can.”

Coming into this season, Vizzina had rarely seen the field. However, over the last two weeks, the redshirt sophomore has seen plenty of time due to the Tigers jumping out to big leads over North Carolina and Boston College.

In Chapel Hill, Vizzina connected on 6-of-11 for 39 yards. While he did not throw and interception, he had a couple of close calls. Last week against BC, Vizzina was just 1-of-3 for -2 yards. He rushed it four times for 19 yards.

SMU (4-2, 2-0 ACC) at Clemson (3-3, 2-2 ACC) 

• Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
• TV: ACCN
• Spread: Clemson -5.5
• Total: 50.5 points
• Series: Clemson leads the series 1-0

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Clemson is trying to keep itself in the ACC race, even if it is a glimmer of hope. SMU is 2-0 and win over the Tigers keeps the Mustangs at the top of the ACC standings and extends their regular season ACC record to 11-0 all-time.

KEY MATCHUP

Clemson’s quarterback situation makes this matchup extremely interesting because the Tigers’ fate will lie in the hands of their defense regardless of who is playing quarterback. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings ranks second in the ACC at 276.3 yards per game through the air. He is also tied for first in the league in touchdown passes and is completing 71.2 percent of his passes. If you remember correctly, Clemson’s defense was carved up the last time they faced a quarterback of Jennings’ ability, as Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli completed 18 of 31 passes for 245 yards and 2 TDs in the first half. He left the game with an injury on the Orange’s first drive of the second half. The Tigers have to figure a way to slow down Jennings and the SMU offense. Maybe do it with pressures, mix up coverages, press the receivers, defensive linemen get their hands up and cut off the passing lanes. All these things might be the best way for the Tigers to keep things close and have an opportunity to win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco, Jr., leads the ACC in receiving yards (537) and TD receptions (6). Three times Wesco has produced 100 yards in a game, including 106 yards off 5 catches in last week’s win over Boston College. He is averaging 17.3 yards per catch. He has a team-best 31 receptions.

Keeping up with the theme of offenses, SMU wide receiver Romello Brinson leads the Mustangs with 32 receptions for 484 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 15.1 yards per catch and 5.3 receptions per game.

THIS AND THAT

Clemson has not lost three home games in one season since 2001. The Tigers are 1-2 at Memorial Stadium this season with losses to LSU and Syracuse. Clemson lost to Virginia, UNC and Florida State during the 2001 season.

FINAL ANALYSIS

If Klubnik can play, the Tigers have a good chance to win, especially going up against an SMU defense that is ranked last in the ACC in passing yards allowed. However, Klubnik will likely not be used in the running game, so the Tigers will have to max protect against an SMU defensive front that has helped produce a league leading 19 sacks. In other words, a healthy Cade Klubnik and the Tigers win. An injured Klubnik or Vizzina and the chances go way down.

Prediction

SMU 27, Clemson 20