On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Clemson Tigers will battle the Virginia Cavaliers in search of their fifth straight ACC Championship. The 12-0, No. 3 ranked Tigers will take on the 9-3, No. 23 ranked Cavaliers who are coming off one of their biggest wins in recent history. In their last regular season matchup, the Cavaliers took down the Virginia Tech Hokies by a score of 39-30 for the chance to play Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.
While the current betting line for the game sits at -28.5 in favor of the Tigers (i.e the Tigers are projected to win by 28.5 points), Clemson cannot overlook what is a talented and motivated Cavalier team. After an 8-5 season and a bowl victory a season ago, Virginia Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall has the Cavalier program trending in the right direction with another solid season in 2019. After knocking off the Hokies for the first time since 2003, the Cavaliers are looking to add to what has already been a historic season with what would be their first ACC title since 1995.
Led by talented dual-threat quarterback Bryce Perkins, the Virginia offense averages over 440 yards and 33 points per game. The Virginia offense will present the Tigers with their toughest offensive opponent to date, with Perkins likely being the most talented individual player the Tigers have seen this season. Perkins has thrown a respectable 16 touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions, but he has the ability to take over with his running ability. Perkins has compiled 687 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground thus far in 2019.
The Tigers will have to monitor Perkins’ running game meticulously on Saturday if they want to keep the Cavalier offense in check. While Perkins is a solid passing quarterback, his game is limited greatly if he can’t make plays on the ground. There has been speculation that Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons could shadow Perkins throughout the game, preventing him from tearing off big runs. With Simmons’ elite speed and tackling ability keeping Perkins in check, the Tigers may be able to neutralize the elusive quarterback. One way or another, look for Brent Venables and the Tiger defense to force Perkins into beating the Tigers with his arm rather than his legs.
While Perkins and the Virginia offense are the main talking point heading into Saturday’s matchup, the Virginia defense has quietly put together a solid 2019 campaign as well. The Cavaliers have allowed just 282 yards and 23.5 points per game this season. Virginia is especially tough against the run, allowing an average of 123 yards per game, which is good for 26th in the country. If the Tigers struggle to get the running game going against Virginia’s stingy run defense, Trevor Lawrence and Clemson’s elite group of receivers may be called upon more than usual.
Despite the Cavaliers’ strong season and talent on both sides of the ball, the Tigers will come into the matchup as heavy favorites. However, If the Tigers have their sights on the College Football Playoff rather than the task at hand,then Virginia could give them a tough game. In his tenure as Head Coach, Dabo Swinney has repeatedly emphasized the importance and value of winning the conference. While the Tigers have been a shoe-in for the title over the last five years, Swinney is quick to recall a time when that was not the case. In all likelihood, Swinney will have the Tigers as motivated as ever heading into Saturday’s matchup.
Saturday’s game will kick off from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
