Tonight the 2016 ACC Championship takes place in Orlando, Florida between the Clemson Tigers and Virginia Tech Hokies.
What to know about Clemson:
Since the season started Clemson was expected to be here. Now they’re 60 minutes away from going to the college football playoff.
Led by head coach Dabo Sweeney, these high-powered Tigers are among the best in the nation. All eyes should be on quarterback Deshaun Watson. With a strong performance on Saturday night, he could possibly be making another trip to the New York for an opportunity to win the Heisman trophy. Clemson leads the ACC in fewest points allowed per game (17). Clemson holds a 20-12-1 series edge over Virginia Tech. However, this is the first meeting between these two teams since 2012 and the second time the Tigers and Hokies have faced off in the ACC Championship. Clemson won the first matchup, a decisive 38-10 victory in Charlotte in 2011.
What to know about Virginia Tech:
This is Virginia Tech’s first trip to the ACC Championship Game since 2011 and the program’s sixth overall appearance in this contest.
The transition from Frank Beamer to Justin Fuente has been a smooth one in Blacksburg. Fuente’s background on offense has provided a much-needed spark for this Hokie attack, and Bud Foster’s decision to remain on staff maintaining the defensive side. The Hokies have achieved nine wins this season the most since their 2011 season where they finished 11-3. Despite horrible losses to Syracuse and Georgia Tech, the Hokies clinched the coastal division with a 6-2 mark. Fuente guided this team to key road wins over Pitt and North Carolina. Virginia Tech would be in the Orange Bowl with a win, and the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl or the Russell Athletic Bowl with a loss.
Jerod Evans vs Deshaun Watson:
It’s been an impressive season for Hokie quarterback Jerod Evans. He’s thrown for 3,045 yards and 26 scores and five interceptions. Evans also leads the team in rushing with 713 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He ranks fourth among ACC players averaging 313.2 total yards per game.
Meanwhile, Watson is of the best in the country and has arguably the best weapons around him as well. Watson has thrown for 3,626 yards and 34 passing touchdowns in 12 games along with 444 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Watson is also the most efficient quarterback in the nation with a 67.6 completion percentage.
Prediction:
Can this young Hokie team hang around long enough? Clemson will look to fire away early and often. The key for both these teams will be their defenses as each team possesses a talented secondary and pass rush.
Can Virginia Tech steal the ACC Championship or Will the offense of Clemson be too much to overcome?
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