Former Clemson offensive lineman and current ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain is admittedly “going with his heart” and backing his alma mater.

On the Gramlich & Mac Lain podcast, Mac Lain predicted a Clemson victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday. The primetime ACC matchup at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

Mac Lain pointed out that Clemson’s struggling passing offense – which ranks dead last in the FBS with only two passing touchdowns all season — will go directly against a highly vulnerable Virginia Tech secondary.

Mac Lain noted that “anybody’s throwing on Virginia Tech” based on what he has seen on tape, giving Clemson’s aerial attack a prime opportunity to get going. He also predicted that Clemson’s pass defense will hold up against Virginia Tech’s elite passing attack to help secure the win at home.

Mac Lain sees plenty of sacks in the forecast on both sides, too.

“They [the Hokies] can’t pass it, and Clemson can. That’s how [the Tigers can win]. They both give up 10 sacks in the game,” Mac Lain said.

Mac Lain found it compelling that the betting line swung from Virginia Tech being a 1.5-point favorite to Clemson becoming a 2.5-point favorite.

“Well, it did move. Virginia Tech was favored by one and a half. It’s moved to Clemson at two and a half, which is fascinating,” Mac Lain said. “I’m going with my heart. I’m going with the Tigers, baby. Let’s go. We’re on a roll here. I think Clemson’s pass defense is better than Virginia Tech’s pass offense. So, I think they win there. And really the Miami game is the only thing giving me any type of hope from an offensive perspective that they should be able to take advantage of this.

“It’s a horrible pass defense [for Virginia Tech]. There’s a lot of MAs [missed assignments], a lot of busts. So if you can just literally see that it’s supposed to be Cover 3, but the dude is sitting in Cover 2, throw the ball. I mean, I think good things will happen. So, maybe I’m foolish. Maybe I’m biased. But I’m taking Clemson to win the game.”

Fellow Clemson alum and analyst Kelly Gramlich picked Virginia Tech to win.

Clemson enters the contest 4-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play, while Virginia Tech is 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

Saturday will mark Virginia Tech’s first trip to Clemson since 2012. Clemson leads the all-time football series against Virginia Tech 24–12–1 across 37 meetings dating back to 1900. The Tigers have won seven straight games in the series (2011-24).

You can watch the full preview of Saturday’s game from Mac Lain and Gramlich below: