Game Thread: #2 Clemson @ #12 Virginia Tech [9/30 8pm EST-ABC]

[vOptix]

My personal take: VT will start off slow, probably being down by a lot going into the half, I'd say 17-3. It all depends on how they play in the 3rd quarter...but I think they will come back and make it a game. Josh Jackson is a star in the making, and I'm hoping he can showcase that. Side note: I'm glad the all maroon uniforms are making an appearance. I love night games at Lane Stadium.

VT: 31
Clemson: 27

Virginia Tech had the ball on on their 41, down 42-35 with four minutes to play in the 2016 ACC Championship Game. The Hokies moved the ball down into Clemson territory over the next eight plays, threatening to take down the eventual national champions, until Jerod Evans was picked off in the red zone with 1:11 remaining.

The Tigers, of course, went on to knock off Ohio State and Alabama en route to a national championship. Virginia Tech lost Evans to the pros, but replaced him with Josh Jackson, a redshirt freshman quarterback who is already on pace to have one of the best seasons for a freshman in school history, joining the likes of Michael Vick, Tyrod Taylor and Will Furrer as the only freshman to be full-time starters since 1987.

Clemson quickly catapulted Florida State for the top pick to win the ACC, off to a 4-0 start with a win at Louisville and a quality win against Auburn for its playoff profile. Given the state of Florida State, Saturday's game at Virginia Tech might be the toughest test on the remaining schedule. It could also be a preview of an ACC Championship Game with two top-10 teams looking to make an argument for the College Football Playoff.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Clemson: How will Kelly Bryant and the Tigers offense handle the environment and the challenge of moving the ball against Bud Foster's defense? You can't really call them "new starters" after four games of experience, but it's a group that will be tasked with handling in play calls, getting in sync and handling what should be an absolutely electric atmosphere in Blacksburg. Playing at Louisville was an appetizer, and Lane Stadium is the entree as it pertains to the toughest road games on Clemson's schedule this year.


And to speak only of the environment ignores the opposition -- a fast and hard-hitting Virginia Tech defense led by brothers Tremaine and Terrell Edmunds. When it's third-and-long and the noise is so loud you can't hear yourself think, Clemson has to remain calm and avoid a potentially game-changing mistake.

Virginia Tech: This is a monster spot for Justin Fuente, and I expect his staff to be thoroughly prepared after going punch-for-punch with Clemson in the ACC Championship Game last December. Quarterback Josh Jackson's versatility allows for the Hokies to scheme the Tigers' dominant defensive line out of the game with the help of Cam Phillips and a stable of talented -- yet still relatively unknown to a national audience -- skill position players. Jackson won't be able to play hero ball, but he's going to have opportunities to hit a couple of big plays. If the Hokies can convert, they'll be in position to win in the fourth quarter, and that's about all you can ask for with the defending champs in town on a Saturday night.

Clemson at Virginia Tech: Prediction, pick, odds, TV channel, live stream, watch online

 

[Eco]

...a tad early for a GDT

 

[vOptix]

Oops, I'm part of another forum where some are made (2-3) days in advance, sorry if it breaks any rules and this can be locked if it does.

 

[Eco]

Oops, I'm part of another forum where some are made (2-3) days in advance, sorry if it breaks any rules and this can be locked if it does.

Ha, it doesn't break any rules. Just like baseball...an unwritten rule.

You're new so you get a pass. Welcome and good luck

 

[UNA Lion]

Uh, why are we making a game thread a day early - when did this become a thing?

 

[vOptix]

Uh, why are we making a game thread a day early - when did this become a thing?

I didn't see anything against it, and I'm used to seeing them made a day or two in advance. Maybe a mod would lock this and reopen it tomorrow?

 

[Sgt Brutus]

Oops, I'm part of another forum where some are made (2-3) days in advance, sorry if it breaks any rules and this can be locked if it does.

I didn't see anything against it, and I'm used to seeing them made a day or two in advance. Maybe a mod would lock this and reopen it tomorrow?

 

[NolePride]

I didn't see anything against it, and I'm used to seeing them made a day or two in advance. Maybe a mod would lock this and reopen it tomorrow?

The fella's are funning with you.

Here's a Game Day thread that was started on 9/1...
Game Thread: - NEBRASKA vs OKLAHOMA 9/18/21 Time Unknown (CST) Channel Unknown

You will discover a number of posters with a great deal of time on their hands here.

 

[NU_FTW]

The fella's are funning with you.

Here's a Game Day thread that was started on 9/1...
Game Thread: - NEBRASKA vs OKLAHOMA 9/18/21 Time Unknown (CST) Channel Unknown

You will discover a number of posters with a great deal of time on their hands here.

What are you talking about, time psh who has time.

 

[WizardHawk]

Oops, I'm part of another forum where some are made (2-3) days in advance, sorry if it breaks any rules and this can be locked if it does.

Don't pay any attention to them. First rule of the hoop is if you aren't getting someone to complain about something you probably aren't posting. They bitch either way so just do what you want and let them whine. Some damned near have a full blown myocardial infarction if you make a GDT more than EXACTLY 24 hours prior to kick off. Some if it's earlier than the same day. And they flip their shit if you don't have time/channel.

There are game threads made more than 24 hours pretty much every week. The duck fan made their game thread days ago. Don't let the noise get to you.

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

I hope this doesn't bring any bad juju. if it does, I'm blaming you.

 

[Hitman Hart]

I hope this doesn't bring any bad juju. if it does, I'm blaming you.

Going to be a tough one. You're in my thoughts and prayers

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

Going to be a tough one. You're in my thoughts and prayers

Yea, after the BC game last week, I'm wondering if we can win 9.

 

[Hitman Hart]

Yea, after the BC game last week, I'm wondering if we can win 9.

Still whooped Louisville, beat Auburn and won by 27 points against BC. Clemson will be fine

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

Still whooped Louisville, beat Auburn and won by 27 points against BC. Clemson will be fine

 

[WizardHawk]

Yea, after the BC game last week, I'm wondering if we can win 9.

Funny game this.

Can look weak against a lower opponent one week and then blow the barn doors off a dangerous team the next. Keep the faith brother and enjoy the ride.

 

[NU_FTW]

I hope this doesn't bring any bad juju. if it does, I'm blaming you.

Just blame @OregonDucks for setting the tone mmm hmmm
Or @outofyourmind

 

[Cobrabit]

I'm hoping to get back in time for kickoff, as the wife booked a 5:00 reservation at Ruth's Chris a little over an hour away for my birthday.

I'd love another exciting game without injury, a la last year's ACCCG, but with a different winner of course. I still think we're another year or two away from being true contenders on a national scene with recruiting expecting to pick up post-Beamer. However, if we do win tomorrow night, we would've beaten arguably the two toughest opponents on our schedule with WVU and Clemson. That doesn't mean we wouldn't fall to another team or two, but would be in the driver's seat for a possible shot at the playoffs (<1% likelihood, but one can dream, haha).

 

[Edisto_Tiger]

 

[vOptix]

I'm so excited for GameDay in Blacksburg too. I love that campus so much.

I'm just hoping for a close game win or lose. I am kind of looking for payback though after that ACCCG.