Studying Clemson’s Weaknesses

 

Bud Foster
Can Bud’s defense stop the Clemson running game and force turnovers?

It’s been a long five years coming for Virginia Tech fans. Witnessing the magic Justin Fuente has put back into this program has been incredible, turning this Virginia Tech offense into one of the most dynamic in the country. This season’s ACC Coach of the Year will have the country’s full attention playing against what’s become an elite Clemson program under Dabo Swinney.

What would be more fitting than to upset 3rd-ranked Clemson like they did Virginia Tech back in 2011? Saturday’s title game feels like the exact opposite of the 2011 ACC Championship Game. You have an 11-1 top-five team that’s catapulted themselves to the top of the conference for several years now. On the other end, you have a 9-3 team ranked in the mid-20s that’s beaten preseason expectations, winning their division outright. Five years ago, Clemson was that unexpected team that beat Florida State to make their way to the ACC Championship Game. This time, Virginia Tech is in that spoiler role.

That year, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney finally came onto the scene, building a very talented program. Looking back at that championship game in Charlotte, Clemson had a roster filled with soon-to-be NFL talent. Stars like wide receivers Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, and Martavis Bryant, playing alongside tight end Dwayne Allen, running back Andre Ellington, and heck even their slot receiver Adam Humphries is putting together a productive season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their 2011 team was loaded, and that was just their offensive skill players. That game was the last memory Hokie fans had of this title game, and five seasons later they’ve earned their way back.

...