Keys to Victory: No. 8 Clemson vs. Troy

The Match-Up:

No. 8 Clemson (0-1, 0-0 ACC) vs. Troy (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)

Clemson returns to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, to face the Troy Trojans in a non-conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

Last week, Clemson opened the season with a narrow 17-10 loss to No. 9 LSU in Memorial Stadium, as the Tigers’ potential game-tying drive ended in the red zone with under a minute to play. Dabo Swinney’s squad will look to rebound quickly, and history is on their side — Clemson is 37-10 in games following a loss during Swinney’s tenure, including season openers after defeats in the prior year’s finale.

Series History:

Clemson and Troy have met twice previously, with Clemson holding a 2-0 advantage. The Tigers won 43-19 in 2011 and 30-24 in 2016, both games played in Memorial Stadium.

Roster:

Rosters will be released officially two hours before kickoff. Key Clemson players to watch include:

• QB Cade Klubnik (Sr.) – Coming off a 199-yard performance against LSU, Klubnik is looking to settle in with his wide receivers and establish rhythm in the passing game.
• RB Adam Randall (Sr.) – Converted wideout now starting at running back. Clemson needs him and the ground game to bounce back after being held in check against LSU.
• WR Bryant Wesco Jr. (So.) – Led the Tigers in receptions last week with 4 for 66 yards. His involvement in the offense along with fellow sophomore T.J. Moore will be important as the Tigers prepare to face Georgia Tech next weekend in Atlanta.
• LB Sammy Brown (So.) – Posted 11 tackles against LSU, giving Clemson an athletic spark in the middle.
• S Ronan Hanafin (So.) – Recorded a team-high 12 tackles in his first career start last week.

Stat of the Week:

Clemson was one of just 11 teams nationally in the first two weeks of the season to have two defenders register double-digit tackles in the same game (Ronan Hanafin and Sammy Brown).

Quick Hitters: Clemson vs. Troy

Chasing History:

Senior offensive tackle Blake Miller has been an Iron Man during his career and is closing in on 3,000 career snaps played. With 2,953 entering Saturday, he would become only the seventh Clemson player to reach the milestone with his 47^th snap this afternoon.

Memorable Moments:

The last time Clemson faced Troy in 2016, the Trojans kept things close before Clemson escaped with a 30-24 victory. That team won seven games that season by a touchdown or less. That 2016 team also lost a regular-season game 43-42 at home against Pitt, but finished 14-1 and went on to win the national championship 35-31 over Alabama.

Keys to the Game:

Key 1: Establish the Running Game
After struggling to move the ball on the ground against LSU, Clemson needs a bounce-back performance from Adam Randall and the running back group. A consistent run game will not only open up the passing attack but also wear down Troy’s defense.

Key 2: Klubnik’s Rhythm and Vizzina’s Showcase
Cade Klubnik must get in sync with his wide receivers after an up-and-down opener. I hope to see him working inside the pocket and building confidence.

It’s my hope that we also see Christopher Vizzina get snaps, giving the younger quarterback a chance to showcase his skills and gain valuable experience. It would be nice to see an older Vizzina put a little pressure on Klubnik to perform at a higher level.

Key 3: Building Depth
This matchup provides an opportunity to give meaningful reps to backups across the roster. Developing depth early will pay dividends later in the season when injuries and attrition take their toll.

The Tigers are a little banged up in spots, but most concerning are safety Khalil Barnes and wideout Antonio Williams, who are both nursing hamstring injuries. 

Prediction:

Clemson enters as the clear favorite, but the Tigers can’t afford a slow start after last week’s disappointment. With a sharper run game, a more confident Klubnik, and a chance to rotate in younger players, Clemson should handle Troy comfortably.

The Pick: Clemson 41, Troy 14

Season Record: 0-1

Swanny’s Predictions:

✅ = Correct Prediction