After breaking a two-game losing streak at home with a win over Georgia Tech last weekend, the Virginia Tech football team will hit the road this Saturday night for a key ACC battle at Clemson in a battle between a pair of two-loss teams.
It'll be the first of three difficult road games remaining on the schedule in James Franklin's first season in Blacksburg. The Hokies will have home games next month, with Stanford and Virginia sprinkled in. Here are four bold predictions for Virginia Tech's primetime showdown in Death Valley.
4 Bold Virginia Tech football predictions for Clemson primetime showdown
Virginia Tech scores 20-plus points
This could end up being a low-scoring game, and some Clemson fans believe that the Tigers need to keep the Hokies under 20 points to have a realistic shot at winning. Virginia Tech has scored at least 20 points in every game this season, and Clemson has a stout defense. However, you have to think that Virginia Tech finds a way to break the 20-point plateau. It might not seem like a bit of a bold prediction, but the way the Tigers play defense and being on the road under the lights at Memorial Stadium, it is.
Virginia Tech's defense forces multiple turnovers
You have to think that Brent Pry's defense will build off of getting two takeaways last week against the Yellow Jackets and get multiple turnovers this week. If they want to have a shot at pulling off the upset, they will have to. Clemson's offense has sputtered at times this season, and getting off the field with some turnovers would go a long way toward securing an upset on the road. Turnovers both ways are going to play a big part in the outcome.
Luke Reynolds records another 100 yards plus receiving
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney spoke this week about Hokies tight end Luke Reynolds and how good he is. He got an up-close look at him last season in the Pinstripe Bowl when Penn State defeated the Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Clemson is going to know where Reynolds is on the field and look to shut him down, but that doesn't mean they will. Look for Hokies offensive coordinator Ty Howle to get him targets and for the future NFL tight end to make some big catches.
Davion Brown records a touchdown reception
Swinney spoke very highly of Reynolds and wide receiver/punt returner Que'Sean Brown this week, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Tigers focus on them. While we believe that Reynolds will still have a big game, if they focus too much on Que'Sean Brown, that opens things up for freshman Davion Brown, and don't be surprised to see quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer target him a little more often.
He made an outstanding one-handed catch against Georgia Tech last week and should see more balls thrown his way this weekend. Virginia Tech will need a wide receiver or two to step up, especially if the running game struggles.
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