Keys to Victory: Clemson at Cal

The Match-Up:

Clemson (2-1, 1-0 ACC) at California (2-1, 1-0 ACC)

Clemson heads nearly 2,600 miles west for its first ACC game on the West Coast. The Tigers are coming off a 28-20 comeback victory over North Carolina, while Cal presents a much different challenge behind sophomore quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and a passing attack capable of putting up big numbers.

Kickoff:

• Friday, Sept. 25, 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.
• Radio: Clemson Athletic Network (Don Munson, Tim Bourret)
• Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 258
• Venue: California Memorial Stadium | Berkeley, Calif.

Last Week: Clemson trailed North Carolina 17-3 before rallying for a 28-20 victory. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds finished 20-of-29 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first career start, while Gideon Davidson rushed for a career-high 105 yards. After two weeks of offensive frustration, Clemson finally showed some life when it mattered most.

Series History:

Clemson and Cal have played only once, with the Golden Bears winning 37-13 in the 1992 Citrus Bowl.

This will be Clemson’s first road game against Cal and its first conference game on the West Coast. The Tigers have played only three previous games in California, most recently their 44-16 national championship victory over Alabama in Santa Clara following the 2018 season.

Tim Bourret’s Perspective:

The 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff has been one of the biggest talking points all week, but Tim Bourret pointed out on Clemson Sports Talk that the night could stretch much later than that.

“The two games that California has played against FBS teams have lasted three hours and 51 minutes and three hours and 49 minutes. That would mean that with a 7:35 start, that game’s going to end after two in the morning.”

Bourret also sees an opportunity for Clemson to make Reynolds’ first road start easier by attacking Cal on the ground.

“They’re 119th in defending the run. So, I’m hopeful that maybe Clemson can get his running game going and open up some things for him in the pass. Or maybe he’ll be able to run himself and pick up some good yardage.”

Swanny's Rant & Reality Check:

Last week felt important because Clemson finally showed something it hadn’t shown through the first two games.

Some fight.

That doesn’t mean everything is fixed. Clemson was down 17-3 at home, Reynolds made freshman mistakes and the offense still had stretches where it looked disjointed.

But Reynolds settled down. Clemson started running the football. The defense kept the Tigers within reach, and Clemson finished.

Now I want to know whether that was the beginning of something or just one good stretch of football.

Going to Berkeley is weird. It’s a Friday night, a cross-country trip and a 10:30 p.m. kickoff back home against an unfamiliar opponent.

Good teams handle weird.

Don’t make the travel the story. Don’t make the kickoff the story. Go play football.

Keys to Victory:

Make Sagapolutele Uncomfortable: The Cal sophomore enters the game with 866 passing yards and seven touchdowns through three games and just threw for 413 yards against Wagner. Clemson cannot allow him to stand comfortably in the pocket. Will Heldt, Sammy Brown and the Tigers’ front need to get his feet moving, hit him and make him speed up his internal clock. That becomes even more important with Corian Gipson unavailable in Clemson’s secondary.

Run the Football: Davidson’s 105-yard performance against North Carolina may have been one of the most important developments of Clemson’s young season. Now do it again. Cal has been vulnerable against the run, and Reynolds gives Chad Morris another weapon with his legs. Clemson shouldn’t ask its freshman quarterback to get into a 40-pass shootout in his first road start. Establish Davidson, use Reynolds in the option game and make Cal defend the Tigers on the ground.

Let Tait Take the Next Step: Last week was about surviving the first start. This week is about growing from it. Reynolds wasn’t perfect against North Carolina, but when Clemson fell behind 17-3, he didn’t fold. I want to see better decisions, fewer mistakes and Clemson getting T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. involved down the field. Reynolds doesn’t have to become Trevor Lawrence overnight. He just needs to be a little better than he was last Saturday.

Prediction:

What have you done for me lately?

For Clemson, the answer is finally something encouraging.

Reynolds’ numbers against North Carolina weren’t spectacular, but I liked the energy, confidence and moxie he showed when Clemson needed it. Now he gets a Cal defense that has been vulnerable against the run, and that’s where the Tigers have to start.

Let Davidson and the running backs establish themselves. Use Reynolds’ legs. Defensively, make Sagapolutele uncomfortable and don’t allow him to control the game from the pocket.

I don’t think there’s much separating these teams, especially with Clemson playing across the country at night. But what I saw during the comeback against North Carolina gave me a little more confidence that this offense may finally be finding something under Chad Morris.

If Clemson plays clean around Reynolds and establishes the running game, I think the Tigers leave Berkeley 3-1 and 2-0 in the ACC.

I’ll pop on the orange-shaded glasses.

The Pick: Clemson 31, Cal 27

Season Record: 3-0

Swanny's Predictions: