Virginia Tech vs. Clemson Football: Staff picks offer mixed results

Two teams coming off of losses last weekend, both disappointing, will meet in Blacksburg on Saturday when Virginia Tech hosts Clemson. The Hokies blew a 21-3 second-half lead at Syracuse last Saturday, while the Tigers dropped a 33-21 decision at home against Louisville to a severe dent into any ACC Championship Game hopes they had.

Now both teams will be looking to avoid a losing streak at the wrong time of the year with three games remaining for Virginia Tech who still needs one win to become bowl-eligible, while Clemson will be looking for win No. 7 with four games remaining. Who will end up winning when all is said and done? Fighting Gobbler writers will make their picks.

Scott Roche: Site Expert

This one could end up going several different ways. A banged-up Virginia Tech team against an angry Clemson team after losing at home to the Cardinals. The Hokies’ backups played more than well enough on offense last week minus Bhayshul Tuten and Kyron Drones to beat the Orange. 

It appears that things are trending in the right direction in terms of injuries with Tuten, Drones, and cornerback Mansoor Delane in terms of potentially playing against the Tigers. That would be big. If there is anything we’ve learned this season about the Hokies, you never know what to expect week-to-week. This season they have always responded to adversity and this week, look for them to do it again and there is a gut feeling that they get the job at home. Expect Brent Pry and his staff to have his team ready to go.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 30, Clemson 27

Roy Hatfield: Contributor

The Hokies are like a bad ex-girlfriend.  They break your heart time after time and you always take them back.  They act erratic.  They ruin your hopes and dreams and Saturday will be another example.  Quite simply put, I do not trust the Hokies defense. 

Between the explosives, the meltdowns, the leads lost, and a myriad of overall issues, this season has been a comedy of errors on the defensive side.  It’s a perfect scenario for another public pantsing on the big stage for the Hokies.  Clemson will be pissed off because they also got pantsed against Louisville.  Pry and company dropped another one-score ballgame last week. 

The reindeer games the staff has been playing with injuries don’t give me any confidence either.  It will be a true face-slapper as the Hokies won’t have the answer for Cade Klubnik in a get-right game for the Tigers.  Drones and Tuten “might play” again, and that defense can’t get right.  The Bowl game is in serious doubt.

Prediction: Clemson 37, Virginia Tech 14