Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Clemson Football: 3 Reasons Tigers will beat the Demon Deacons

By Dante Pryor

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaks with media before Spring practice in Clemson, S.C. Wednesday, March 2, 2022.Clemson Spring Football Practice March 2
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaks with media before Spring practice in Clemson, S.C. Wednesday, March 2, 2022.Clemson Spring Football Practice March 2 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Sep 5, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) passing against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half of the Chick-fil-A kickoff game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) passing against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half of the Chick-fil-A kickoff game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Clemson’s offense is hitting its stride.

During spring and fall camp, there was much thought that highly-touted quarterback Cade Klubnik would replace DJ Uiagalelei. Though the incumbent was not impressive during spring and fall, Klubnik did not set the field ablaze either. Uiagalelei has improved every game this season, throwing for 729 yards and six touchdowns.

The running game has also begun to take form, which has become a compliment to the passing game. The Tigers did struggle to run the football out of the gates against Georgia Tech in the season opener, but they have improved on the ground in every other game this season, including running for 280 yards against Louisiana Tech.

What was Wake Forest’s weakness last season? Run defense. The Deamon Deacon’s run defense was one of the worst in the ACC. Wake’s inability to slow down the run could give the Tigers the ability to grind out this game on the ground. Tigers’ running back Will Shipley looks forward to another great game after a 139-yard performance on just 12 carries against the Bulldogs.

That doesn’t include Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah. Clemson will run the football and grind down the Demon Deacons’ defense.

Home/ACC