Clemson Eye ACC Championship Berth, Pittsburgh Need Huge Upset at Home
Clemson Tigers Aim for ACC Title; Pittsburgh Panthers Need Upset to Stay Alive
The 20th-ranked Clemson Tigers (7-2) head into Acrisure Stadium for a crucial ACC clash with the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2) on Saturday afternoon. Both teams still harbor hopes of making it to the ACC Championship game, though Clemson holds the advantage, sitting second in the standings, while Pittsburgh is in fifth. A win for Clemson would almost seal their spot in the conference title game, while Pittsburgh needs a major upset to stay in contention. This marks a rematch of the teams’ last meeting in 2021, where Pittsburgh secured a 27-17 victory.
Clemson Tigers: Building Momentum for ACC Championship Run
After a tough opening loss to Georgia and a disappointing home defeat to Louisville, Clemson has rallied, winning seven of their last eight games. A road victory against Pittsburgh would strengthen their position for a spot in the ACC Championship and could prove to be the springboard for a successful finish to the regular season. Clemson will close out the year with games against The Citadel and their archrival South Carolina, but the focus remains on building momentum heading into the postseason.
Clemson’s offense has made strides this season, ranking 7th nationally in total yards, 26th in rushing, and 24th in passing. This balanced attack has made them one of the most difficult teams to defend in the ACC. Quarterback Cade Klubnik (24 TDs, 4 INTs) has been stellar, with a potential Heisman candidacy on the horizon. With seven receivers boasting multiple touchdowns, Klubnik has a wide array of weapons, especially against a Pittsburgh defense that ranks 114th in the nation in pass defense. Expect Clemson to exploit the Panthers’ depleted secondary and control the game through both the air and ground. Running back Phil Mafah will also see plenty of touches, helping to eat up clock and keep Pittsburgh’s offense off the field.
Clemson’s injury report continues to grow, with key players on both the offensive and defensive lines suffering various issues. Three players have already been ruled out, one is doubtful, and six are questionable heading into this game. While their depth should allow them to weather these challenges against Pittsburgh, the Tigers will need to address these concerns to maintain their championship aspirations.
Pittsburgh Panthers: Desperate for a Signature Win
Pittsburgh’s once-promising season has hit a rough patch. After an undefeated start, back-to-back losses have left them scrambling for a massive win against Clemson to keep their hopes alive in the ACC standings. A disappointing 23-point road loss to SMU highlighted the gap between Pittsburgh and the top teams in the conference, and their 24-19 home defeat to Virginia last week further hindered their championship aspirations. With two road games left on the schedule, this matchup against Clemson is now a must-win for the Panthers.
Pittsburgh’s offense has been one of the top units in the ACC, ranking 36th nationally in total offense. However, key injuries have rocked the Panthers’ attack. Starting quarterback Eli Holstein is questionable after suffering a possible concussion in last week’s loss to Virginia. If Holstein is unable to play, backup Nat Yarnell will likely step in. Yarnell has struggled in limited action, completing just 4 of 12 passes for 44 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in relief of Holstein last week.
Adding to Pittsburgh’s woes, star wide receiver Konata Mumpfield, who leads the Panthers in receiving yards, is also listed as questionable. Both Holstein and Mumpfield are vital to Pittsburgh’s offense, and their potential absence would leave the Panthers scrambling to find ways to generate offense. With a ground game that has struggled to find consistency, Pittsburgh will have difficulty controlling the clock against Clemson’s potent offense.
While Pittsburgh has been solid defensively for much of the season, their biggest vulnerability is in the secondary. Against a Clemson offense ranked 7th in total yards and 24th in passing, the Panthers will be tested in ways they haven’t been all year. With Clemson’s ability to spread the field and exploit weaknesses in the passing game, Pittsburgh will need to step up their defense in a major way to have any chance of pulling off the upset.
Conclusion
Clemson enters this game with a clear path to the ACC Championship, but Pittsburgh, despite recent struggles, has a chance to play the spoiler. With key injuries on both sides of the ball, the Panthers will need a flawless performance to upset the Tigers. Clemson’s offense is primed for a big day against Pittsburgh’s defense, while the Panthers’ injury woes on offense make it difficult to imagine a scenario where they can keep up. The Tigers look poised to take another step toward their championship aspirations, leaving the Panthers with few options but to hope for a miracle.
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