CLEMSON — Clemson has won seven straight over Virginia Tech.

The Hokies (5-2, 2-2 ACC) visit Death Valley on Saturday for the first time since 2012, with this one serving as a primer for how the back half of the season might play out for the Tigers (4-2, 2-1). Clemson is currently a slight 2.5-point favorite.

Series History

• Overall: Clemson leads series, 24-12-1
• Home: Clemson leads series, 9-6-1
• Road: Clemson leads series, 11-4
• Neutral: Clemson leads series, 4-2
• Last Meeting: Nov. 9, 2024 (24-14, W)

With former Penn State signal caller Ethan Grunkemeyer now taking the snaps for Tech, the Hokies have been throwing it around a lot this season. Grunkemeyer’s 32.7 attempts are the second most in the ACC, and his 1,984 passing yards lead the league. He’s also completing 72.9% of his throws with 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Those are pretty impressive numbers.

Even so, Virginia Tech comes in having lost two of its last three, falling to Pitt and Cal in back-to-back weeks before rebounding last week with a win over Georgia Tech.

The good news here is that Virginia Tech’s offensive strength plays right into one of Clemson’s biggest strengths on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers’ pass defense has been really good, led by junior cornerback Ashton Hampton. And slowing down that Va Tech passing attack is the path to victory here.

The Hokies have had some pass protection issues, ranking 119th nationally in sacks allowed. Of the 19 sacks allowed, eight of those have come in the last two games. The Tigers should be able to create some pressure with their front four.

Obviously, the questions for Clemson reside on the other side of the ball, especially along the offensive line, and Virginia Tech can get after the quarterback. The Hokies lead the ACC and are sixth nationally with 3.29 sacks per contest. They are 11th nationally in havoc rate.

The Tigers looked better up front last week after placing Easton Ware at right guard, but that was against Charleston Southern. The real test comes on Saturday. Can this group protect freshman QB Tait Reynolds long enough for him to get some throws off? And can they open up running lanes against a Hokies’ defense that is one of the best in the country, allowing just 87.4 yards per game? That ranks 10th nationally.

Even if all that does happen, Reynolds still has to be better at getting the ball out on time, and his receivers have to come down with the throws that hit them in the hands.

Where the young can really make an impact is with his legs. Make that defense have to account for his running ability. But that comes with another caveat. Reynolds absolutely has to hold on to the football. The quarterback revealed this week that he never fumbled in high school, and it’s happened multiple times already this season.

A lot of the numbers suggest this is a game that Virginia Tech should probably win. Having said that, these are games Clemson somehow finds a way to win. More often than now, anyways.

While I believe Clemson’s offense is going to get better as we go down the stretch, I’m not sure we’ll see massive improvement this week against this defense. This game will be won on defense and with special teams. Chris Johnson Jr. and Bryant Wesco have served as spark plugs in the return game. Nolan Hauser has been as automatic as any kicker in the country.

Clemson’s biggest advantage is Tom Allen’s defense. The Tigers won’t completely shut the Hokies down, but they will be good enough to come away with a win.

Clemson 24, Virginia Tech 20