Written by Erik Slaby
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/9/9/9399298/29714813253-079e69d4a1-o.jpg?354)
This Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, the nationally 2nd ranked Clemson University Tigers (9-0) are back at home at Clemson Memorial Stadium, popularly known as Death Valley, to take on inter-conference opponent, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers (5-4), led by second year head coach Pat Narduzzi.
Last week, Clemson defeated conference opponent Syracuse in a blowout win, 54-0. This win now gives Clemson a 6-0 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It also continues to bolster their chances of getting into the College Football Playoff and competing for the National Championship. This week, the College Football Playoff Selection committee released their rankings of all of the teams and Clemson was ranked 2nd for the second consecutive week.
Against Syracuse, Clemson won in dominating fashion. They were up 30-0 at halftime so for the rest of the game, they played most, or all of their players that were on the bench. In the end, Clemson played 85 players throughout the game. This was great for Clemson as they were able to get the players deep on the depth chart valuable experience, which will be very important if any starting players get injured late on this season. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke after the game about being able to play this many players.
“It was nice to have a game where we could have some fun and get a bunch of guys in the game and get some guys some experience,” Swinney stated. “We played a lot of guys. Most everyone who’s not redshirting, for the most part, you know was able to get in the game today. And that always fun.”
Offensively, Clemson was led by quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and backup Nick Schuessler. Watson bruised his shoulder late in the second quarter and he did not return, so he was relieved by Schuessler. Coach Swinney stated after the game about Watson that he was fine and that, “he was ready. If we needed him and if we got in a bind.”
Watson completed 13 of 16 passes, for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Schuessler completed 11 of 17 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. This was the first time in school history that two quarterbacks each passed for over 160 yards in a game. The receiving group was led by wide receivers Mike Williams, who had six catches for 106 yards and one touchdown and Deon Cain, who had five catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Against Pittsburgh, Clemson will have to keep an eye out for defensive lineman Ejaun Price who leads the team in sacks with nine. They will also have to watch out for defensive back Ryan Lewis, who leads the team in tackles with 58. He is also tied with fellow defensive back Terrish Webb for the team lead in pass breakups with six. Pittsburgh has a decent defense that will present some challenges to Clemson. Their defense has the ability to keep games close as three of their four losses have been by one score or less.
Pittsburgh is led offensively by running back James Conner, who leads the team in rushing with 712 yards, as well as 11 rushing touchdowns. He also has 197 yards receiving yards and two touchdowns. Conner will be extremely important for the Clemson defense to key in on as he is what makes the Pittsburgh offense go. Pittsburgh is coming off of a tough 51-28 loss to the Miami Hurricanes on the road, so they will be looking to redeem themselves this Saturday.
Defensively for Clemson, Pittsburgh will need to keep an eye out for star linebacker Ben Boulware who leads the team in tackles with 70. He also has two sacks and an interception. Defensive lineman Carlos Watkins will also be a player to watch as he leads the team in sacks with five and a half.
In the series between these two teams, Pittsburgh leads it all-time 1-0. This is the first time since 1977 that these two teams will play each other. If Pittsburgh wins this game, they will become bowl-eligible. Also, it may be the biggest upset win so far this college football season and a huge win for the program. Clemson will need to win this game though in order to keep on their hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff alive.
Clemson cannot afford to falter at any point for the rest of this season. In the end, Clemson is a more talented and experienced team so it may be too much for Pittsburgh to overcome.
Last week, Clemson defeated conference opponent Syracuse in a blowout win, 54-0. This win now gives Clemson a 6-0 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It also continues to bolster their chances of getting into the College Football Playoff and competing for the National Championship. This week, the College Football Playoff Selection committee released their rankings of all of the teams and Clemson was ranked 2nd for the second consecutive week.
Against Syracuse, Clemson won in dominating fashion. They were up 30-0 at halftime so for the rest of the game, they played most, or all of their players that were on the bench. In the end, Clemson played 85 players throughout the game. This was great for Clemson as they were able to get the players deep on the depth chart valuable experience, which will be very important if any starting players get injured late on this season. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke after the game about being able to play this many players.
“It was nice to have a game where we could have some fun and get a bunch of guys in the game and get some guys some experience,” Swinney stated. “We played a lot of guys. Most everyone who’s not redshirting, for the most part, you know was able to get in the game today. And that always fun.”
Offensively, Clemson was led by quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and backup Nick Schuessler. Watson bruised his shoulder late in the second quarter and he did not return, so he was relieved by Schuessler. Coach Swinney stated after the game about Watson that he was fine and that, “he was ready. If we needed him and if we got in a bind.”
Watson completed 13 of 16 passes, for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Schuessler completed 11 of 17 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. This was the first time in school history that two quarterbacks each passed for over 160 yards in a game. The receiving group was led by wide receivers Mike Williams, who had six catches for 106 yards and one touchdown and Deon Cain, who had five catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Against Pittsburgh, Clemson will have to keep an eye out for defensive lineman Ejaun Price who leads the team in sacks with nine. They will also have to watch out for defensive back Ryan Lewis, who leads the team in tackles with 58. He is also tied with fellow defensive back Terrish Webb for the team lead in pass breakups with six. Pittsburgh has a decent defense that will present some challenges to Clemson. Their defense has the ability to keep games close as three of their four losses have been by one score or less.
Pittsburgh is led offensively by running back James Conner, who leads the team in rushing with 712 yards, as well as 11 rushing touchdowns. He also has 197 yards receiving yards and two touchdowns. Conner will be extremely important for the Clemson defense to key in on as he is what makes the Pittsburgh offense go. Pittsburgh is coming off of a tough 51-28 loss to the Miami Hurricanes on the road, so they will be looking to redeem themselves this Saturday.
Defensively for Clemson, Pittsburgh will need to keep an eye out for star linebacker Ben Boulware who leads the team in tackles with 70. He also has two sacks and an interception. Defensive lineman Carlos Watkins will also be a player to watch as he leads the team in sacks with five and a half.
In the series between these two teams, Pittsburgh leads it all-time 1-0. This is the first time since 1977 that these two teams will play each other. If Pittsburgh wins this game, they will become bowl-eligible. Also, it may be the biggest upset win so far this college football season and a huge win for the program. Clemson will need to win this game though in order to keep on their hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff alive.
Clemson cannot afford to falter at any point for the rest of this season. In the end, Clemson is a more talented and experienced team so it may be too much for Pittsburgh to overcome.