It’s Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day all wrapped into one at Clemson.
On top of those festivities, FCS foe Furman will also visit for what will mark the Paladins’ final game of the season.
The Tigers (5-5, 4-4 ACC) are 44-10-4 all-time against Furman and 26-2 at home. Clemson has won 32 straight in the series, with the last Paladins’ win (6-5, 4-4) coming all the way back in 1936.
Dabo Swinney’s team comes in as a more than 40-point favorite, in what should be a rather easy tune-up for the regular season finale against the rival Gamecocks next weekend. If all things go according to plan, Dabo Swinney should be rotating in his backups fairly early in this one, with one of the biggest goals having to be coming out of this one as healthy as possible.
Speaking of health, that brings us to quarterback Cade Klubnik. With this being his last home game, you absolutely want to get him some time on the field, but how long exactly do you want him to play? The senior has been banged up since the Boston College game and you need him as close to 100% as possible for South Carolina. Not to mention, you’d like to see backups Chris Vizzina and Chris Denson be able to get plenty of work.
If there ever was a game where the Tigers should be able to run it at will, it’s this one. Clemson owns a talent advantage at every spot on the field, and sizeable ones at that. Even the injury-depleted offensive line should be able to control the line of scrimmage in this one. Hand the ball to those backs and let them go to work.
This one also provides the defense with a chance at keeping some of the positive momentum built in the win over Louisville going. Clemson should not only be able to control the line of scrimmage, but the Tigers’ defensive front should be able to dominate.
The emergence of Corian Gipson at the nickel in recent weeks has brought a little more stability to the backend of the defense. Minimize the busts, and things should be fine. Have a few too many, and this thing could be a little closer than anyone wants.
Clemson 48 Furman 13