Ahead of Clemson’s matchup with Tennessee in the 2022 Orange Bowl, The Tiger’s sports staff made its score predictions for the Tigers’ final game of this season.
Justin Robertson, Sports Editor: Clemson-36, Tennessee-33
There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to this game between the Tigers and the Volunteers. Will Cade Klubnik have the same caliber of performance as he did against North Carolina in the ACC Championship? Will Tennessee’s offense have enough firepower without Hendon Hooker and two of its top receivers? Time will tell, but I think Clemson is in a much better spot than Tennessee is at this point in the year. Ultimately, I see Clemson’s defense doing just enough to limit the Volunteers’ scoring opportunities. And if the Tigers are as explosive on offense as they were four weeks ago, I’m not sure Tennessee will be able to keep up as the game continues.
Grace O’Donnell, Asst. Sports Editor: Clemson-31, Tennessee 28
If you had asked me earlier in the season, I would have said there was no way the Tigers’ offense could put up anything near the Vol’s explosive level of play. Now that quarterback Hendon Hooker is out with a torn ACL, and Tennessee’s top receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman have opted out, I think the Tigers have a solid chance with the quicker tempo Cade Klubnik set in the ACC Championship. Although losing Trenton Simpson and Myles Murphy will definitely hurt, I think with superstars like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. up front and a secondary that has come into its own this year gives the Tigers have a great opportunity to prove what they’ve been working toward this year. My guess is this will be a high-scoring game where Clemson comes out with the victory.
Anne Marie Lessig, Asst. Sports Editor: Clemson-30, Tennessee-21
I think both teams competing in the Orange Bowl will face challenges because of their changes offensively, specifically the loss of Hendon Hooker for Tennessee and the unknowns that come with Clemson’s offense with Cade Klubnik making his first career start. Ultimately, I’m predicting a Clemson victory because of Klubnik’s play and a dominant defensive performance. Clemson could struggle in some spots with defensive end Myles Murphy and linebacker Trenton Simpson not playing. However, with the injuries and opt-outs for the Vols, the Tigers may have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. But regardless of the outcome, the winner will be wearing orange.
Griffin Barfield, Senior Reporter: Clemson-38, Tennessee-27
Both teams have made a lot of changes in recent weeks, making this game an interesting matchup. Cade Klubnik is now the starter and looks to start on the right foot on Friday. The Volunteers’ offense has lost many key players, most notably quarterback Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. It will be interesting to see how this Tennessee offense lines up, especially with offensive coordinator Alex Golesh leaving for USF earlier this month. However, I expect the Clemson offense to pick up where it left off from the ACC Championship game and thrive against a Volunteer defense that has struggled heavily at times this year.
Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter: Clemson-38, Tennessee-36
In the ACC Championship, Clemson’s offense showed more promise than its previous few games, so I think the matchup against Tennessee will reveal much about the future of the Tigers’ offense under the leadership of Cade Klubnik. Klubnik’s powerful arm sparked an offensive urgency that the Tigers desperately needed against the Tar Heels four weeks ago, and if he can replicate that performance, the outcome bodes well for the Tigers. The Volunteers had an impressive season with star players like Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, but with all three of those stars missing from Tennessee’s lineup, I think Clemson has the upper hand going into the game.
