A crucial ACC clash is on tap tonight in Death Valley. Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2) is off to a good start under new head coach James Franklin. Now, the Hokies are presented with a midseason challenge: pick up a win on the road at Clemson (4-2, 2-1). This season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Tigers. Still, Dabo Swinney’s crew remains one of the conference’s elite programs. Which of these squads will pick up a win on Saturday night?
The Tigers are listed as three-point favorites over the Hokies, with the total set at O/U 50.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Saturday’s Virginia Tech vs. Clemson Week 8 matchup.
Virginia Tech vs. Clemson prediction, preview
Ethan Grunkemeyer has been a revelation at quarterback, carrying a high-powered Hokies offense. Through six games, the junior leads the ACC with 167 completions and 1,984 passing yards while tossing 15 touchdowns. To boot, he’s only thrown two interceptions. Running back Jeffrey Overton has kept the ground game respectable, churning out 613 rushing yards, 219 receiving yards and six total scores. Wideout Sean Brown and tight end Luke Reynolds have combined for 89 receptions, 1,065 yards and seven touchdowns as well. Among all 17 schools in the conference, Virginia Tech ranks fourth in points (37.1) and sixth in yards (449.7) per game.
Saturday’s matchup presents VT with an opportunity to earn a statement win. Granted, this isn’t the same defense we’ve seen from Swinney’s group in years past. The Tigers are coughing up 330.8 yards per game to opponents, only good enough for tenth in the ACC. Ranked foes in #18 LSU and #1 Miami scored a combined 92 points when facing Clemson earlier this season. Granted, the secondary hasn’t been bad by any means. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging just 6.2 yards per pass attempt against the Tigers, fourth-lowest in the conference. However, the team is allowing a lackluster 4.06 yards per carry on the ground.
Offensively, things have been even worse for Clemson this season. With just 340.7 yards gained per game, only North Carolina has done less on that side of the ball. Inept doesn’t even begin to describe this passing attack. Current starting quarterback Tait Reynolds has recorded a meager 943 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions over six games. Gideon Davidson has offered a bit of life on the ground (430 rush yards), but there isn’t much to brag about for the Tigers. Explosiveness is the biggest issue for Clemson, averaging just 4.9 yards per play this season.
The offense gets most of the attention, and for good reason, but Virginia Tech’s defense has held its own. Franklin’s squad is allowing just 314.7 yards and 21.1 points per game to opponents, both above-average marks within the ACC. The calling card for this group is pressure; they lead the conference with 23.0 sacks and 64.0 tackles for loss. In comparison, this Tigers offensive line has allowed the ACC’s fourth-most sacks (17.0). The Hokies have also held their own inside the trenches, giving up just 2.90 yards per rush attempt. Should that continue, it’ll place even more pressure on Clemson’s freshman quarterback.
Best Bet: Virginia Tech ML (+130)
There’s too many questions across this Clemson offense to back them with any confidence. VT’s knack for getting to the quarterback could spell trouble for the Tigers and their inexperienced passer. On the other side, the home team’s defense has looked inadequate against upper level competition. Grunkemeyer and company should put some points on the board during this primetime contest.
