Keys to Victory: No. 20 Clemson at Pitt

Each week, we review the game’s history, three keys to success, and Swanny’s prediction.

The Match-Up:

No. 20 Clemson (7-2, 6-1 ACC) at Pitt (7-2, 3-2 ACC)

Clemson will play its final conference game of the regular season and its final true road game of its 2024 campaign today when the Tigers face the Pitt Panthers. Kickoff at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh is scheduled for noon ET. Pitt will represent Clemson's final conference opponent of the regular season before the Tigers return home to face consecutive non-conference foes from instate over the final two weeks.

Clemson sits in second place in the ACC with a 6-1 conference record. The Tigers' 27 all-time seasons with six or more regular season conference wins are the most in ACC history, and Clemson's 14 seasons with six or more conference wins since Dabo Swinney was hired as Clemson's full-time coach prior to the 2009 season are tied with Alabama for the national lead.

Series History:

• OVERALL: Clemson trails series, 2-3
• HOME: Series is tied, 1-1
• ROAD: Clemson trails series, 0-1
• NEUTRAL: Series is tied, 1-1
• LAST MEETING: Oct. 23, 2021 (27-17, L)
• STREAK: Pitt, Won 1

Roster:

Rosters will be released by Clemson two hours before kickoff.

Stat of the Week:

This year, Clemson's regular season slate includes seven home games, four road contests and its neutralsite season opener. Entering Saturday's road finale, Clemson is 3-0 in true road games so far this season and is one of 12 FBS programs without a road loss in 2024. A win on Saturday would give Clemson a perfect road record for the 10th time in program history and for the fifth time under Dabo Swinney.

Chasing History:

Clemson (one) needing one more defensive touchdown to extend its streak of scoring multiple defensive touchdowns to 15 straight seasons. Clemson's 14-year streak is the nation's longest active streak. The last time Clemson had fewer than two defensive touchdowns in a season was 2009, Dabo Swinney’s first full season as head coach, when the Tigers supplemented a single defensive touchdown with six special teams touchdowns.

On This Date: 

Nov. 16, 1918: The University of South Carolina athletic authorities provided the use of their stadium to Clemson and The Citadel for their annual game. South Carolina was playing at Furman that day and the field was not going to be used by the Gamecocks. The game was played at Columbia because the military officials from both schools would not allow players to be absent from any military duties due to athletic events. Since the game was played in Columbia, both school’s cadets and football teams were able to make the trip to Columbia and return to duty on time. Clemson’s John O’Dell scored the game’s only touchdown, as the Tigers won 7-0. Both teams made it back to their campuses before their passes expired.

Nov. 16, 1956: Vice President Richard Nixon was in attendance at the Clemson-Miami football game on this date. Surrounded by security from various agencies, a loud explosion sounded and alarmed the bodyguard along with the Vice President. To everyone’s relief, it was discovered that it was just the cannon fired off by a Clemson cheerleader when Clemson kicked off.

Nov. 16, 1974: The playing surface of Memorial Stadium was named Frank Howard Field. This day also featured the longest play from scrimmage in Clemson history, a 97-yard touchdown pass from Mark Fellers to Craig Brantley. Clemson defeated Virginia, 28-9.

Nov. 16, 1979: Clemson won at Notre Dame, 16-10, behind Obed Ariri’s three field goals. The Fighting Irish took a 10-0 lead in the first half, but Ariri’s field goals and a 26-yard touchdown run by Billy Lott proved to be the difference. The next day, Ariri scored the only goal for the soccer team in an NCAA Tournament win over South Carolina.

Nov. 16, 1991: The Tigers clinched their 13th ACC Championship, their first under Ken Hatfield, with a 40-7 win over Maryland at Death Valley. DeChane Cameron went 13-for-23 for 213 yards in leading Clemson to victory in his final home game.

Key 1: Holstein’s Health

Over the years, it’s been rare for me to start with a key that doesn’t actually involve Clemson. Nine times out of ten, I try to focus on what the Tigers need to do to win a game, but you can’t help but circle Holstein’s health as a major issue entering today’s game. 

He was expected to be a game-time decision, but it looks more and more like he will not play after suffering a second head injury in the past three weeks. Holestein was 10-23 for 121 yards in the Panthers most recent loss to Virginia last weekend. Backup Nate Yarnell came in and finished the game 4-12 for 44 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

With that switch becoming increasingly likely this weekend, I think it’s significant. Holstein was really good to start the season but has cooled recently—but there is a reason he’s the starter and Yarnell is the backup—and I think that shows today.

Key 2: Cade on Cruise Control

Last weekend, the Tigers stumbled out of the gates, raising concerns about Cade Klubnik, in part because it resembled the player we saw at quarterback in Tiger Town last season. Unfortunately, fans—and media members who have seen Klubnik’s growth over the past year were so quick to be concerned—but I don’t blame anyone because things can unravel quickly in between the ears of a college quarterback.

The good news is that in the second half at Virginia Tech, Klubnik, from 2024, returned to the field with much more confidence and control of the offense. He wasn’t perfect, but he looked much more in command of the offense.

Pitt’s defense will bring the heat from all over, as Dabo Swinney noted this week, but if Klubnik can handle it and hit cruise control, the Tigers will pick up their seventh win in ACC play.

Key 3: Share the Wealth

Clemson’s offensive weapons are still its biggest asset, and throughout the season, there are moments where you can see just how explosive this group can be. The Tigers’ young wideouts T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco have the look of a troublesome combo for the long term at Clemson. Antonio Williams is spectacular with the ball in his hands, and Jake Briningstool and a host of other tight ends cause a ton of concern for defensive coordinators. 

Then there is Phil Mafah, the anchor of the Clemson running game. I’d still like to see a complementary back to Mafah, but Klubnik has been the No. 2 in most respects with his willingness to pull the ball down and make plays with his legs. 

When you couple all those tools together and spread the ball around, this group is a tough matchup. If Garrett Riley can continue to keep this group balanced, I think things will go Clemson’s way.

Prediction:

I really thought Clemson would win at Pitt back in 2021, but the Tigers really struggled to get out of their own way on offense that day, and most of that fell on the shoulders of quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who finished 12-25 for 128 yards with two interceptions—one that was a 50-yard pick-six on a shovel pass leading the staff to turn to Taisun Phommachanh in a 27-17 loss.

Uiagalelei, fair or foul, was a lot like the 2023 version of Klubnik, and after the second half last weekend, I think this year’s quarterback in Tiger Town has the ability to turn the page on the mistakes he makes. 

With that being said, the Tigers and a more resilient quarterback flip the script on that 2021 result.

Clemson 27, Pitt 17

Swanny’s Record: 8-1

Swanny’s Predictions: 

✅ = Correct Prediction

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