Keys to Victory: Clemson vs UConn

Each week we give you a look at the game's history, three keys to success, plus Swanny's prediction.

The Match-Up:

Clemson (6-3, 5-2 ACC) vs. UConn  (1-8, FBS Independent)

Clemson vs. UConn 1990 (Basketball)

Series History:

• OVERALL: N/A
• HOME: N/A
• ROAD: N/A
• NEUTRAL: N/A
• LAST MEETING: N/A
• STREAK: N/A

Stat of the Week:

Clemson secured a win against Louisville last week thanks to a goal-line stand by a Tiger defense that faced first-and-goal from its own two-yard line with 1:18 to play. Clemson has been one of the nation's top red zone defenses in 2021, allowing teams to score points on only 59.1 percent of red-zone drives this season, the third-best mark in the nation. Clemson has allowed touchdowns on only a remarkable 27.3 percent of opponents' red-zone drives, second-best in the nation behind only No. 1 Georgia (25.0)

Chasing History:

Clemson entered 2021 riding a streak of 10 consecutive seasons with 10+ wins. The program's 10th consecutive 10-win season in 2020 made Clemson only the third program in FBS history to produce a "double-double" — double-digit wins in a double-digit number of consecutive seasons. The record for consecutive 10-win seasons is 14, set by Florida State (1987-2000). Alabama is the only other program with an active streak of at least 10 straight 10-win seasons. The Tigers have 17 10-win seasons in school history, with 10 coming under Dabo Swinney.

The Tigers need to win out this year in order to cross the 10-win mark in 2021.

Key 1: Rhythm, Rhythm, Rhythm 

Clemson should win today’s game by a wide margin, but after the season we've seen this year, you just want to feel like the Tigers have a good rhythm as they head towards the Wake Forest game next weekend.

The Tigers just haven’t been in sync all season and although D.J. Uiagalelei has looked better-- getting past the Demon Deacons and perhaps South Carolina in Williams-Brice in just a few short weeks.

If this offense lacks a natural flow today, it becomes increasingly more difficult to project a win next weekend.

Key 2: Beaux Time

When Beaux Collins walked off the field last weekend, his six-catch, 106-yard performance was a bright spot. Collins, a true freshman, was teammates with Uiagalelei in high school and it was nice to see the duo getting comfortable at this level.

Collins became the first Clemson true freshman with 100 receiving yards since Justyn Ross against Alabama to end 2018 in the national championship.

If Collins continues to excel, the injuries and issues at wideout will be diminished as a new target may have emerged at the slot position.

Key 3: Clean Up

No matter the opponent, Clemson just hasn't played clean and last weekend a botched punt return almost spelled doom for the Tigers at Lousiville. Moments like that must be avoided, and while no one would predict a UConn win, even if Clemson shoots themselves in the foot multiple times-- that’s just not the type of football the TIers should be playing against a team with much less talent.

Prediction:

It's tough to predict what we will see from this 2021 Clemson team, but things do seem to be going better on offense. It’s not great, but-- baby steps.

Today’s contest against UConn should be a breeze and would have been over by the end of the first quarter in previous seasons. That might not be the measuring stick, but it sure would help the team to have even more confidence coming out of today's game.

Can Clemson have a huge opening quarter to squash the Huskies early? Only time will tell-- either way, I still think the Tigers win big. 

Clemson 49, UConn 14

Swanny's Predictions: 

*Correct predictions in bold