Game PReview: Clemson

Every time one of my teams plays a top-ranked opponent, the song that comes to mind is "Anything Could Happen" by Ellie Goulding. While this is a very simplistic way of viewing things, the idea is extremely relevant for what is going to happen under the lights in Lane Stadium this evening.

It is super easy to look at this game on paper and assume Clemson is going to win by five touchdowns. It is also within the realm of possibility that Tech could keep this close and have the game come down to the wire. Several fans on both sides, as well as the media, are picking Clemson to win by a comfortable margin and they might very well be correct with their predictions and analysis.

Clemson is a hell of a football team and it has been a pleasure watching this team over the past several seasons with Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne and several other incredible talents on that team.

As I'm writing this, I have this sense of optimism, whether it's justified or not, that Tech keeps this close and it comes down to the fourth quarter. This could also be similar to the last several games when top-15 opponents have visited Blacksburg. The pattern in those games is a close first half before the visitor pulls away in the second half. We won't know anything until the ball is kicked shortly after 7:30 tonight.

Games are not decided in articles, comment sections/message boards, Twitter or conversations with friends/coworkers/family members. It is easy to look at what Clemson did in the first quarter against Pitt last week and ask ourselves "how is this Virginia Tech team going to stop this offense?" Yes, you can look at the X's and O's, talk about schemes, personnel packages and all that. However, there is a thing called "luck" that plays a factor in upsets.

As Hokie fans, we all know how frustrating of a year this has been on several levels, which have been well-documented by everyone on this website, as well as various message boards and social media threads.

This might very well be misplaced optimism and if it is, it is not the end of the world and our attention will be shifted to a team in Charlottesville coming to Lane next Saturday and a chance to get the Commonwealth Cup back.

Anything. Could. Happen.

Here is your game PReview.

#3 Clemson Tigers (8-1, 7-1 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5, 4-4 ACC)

Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA.

Clemson holds a 22-12-1 advantage in this series. These teams last met in 2017, with the Tigers winning 31-17.

Kickoff: 7:30 P.M.

Network: ABC

Play-by-Play: Chris Fowler

Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit

Sideline: Maria Taylor

Clemson Preview | Special Guest: Courtney Adams

LOCK$ of Saturday: Week 14

• Grayson Wimbish: West Coast Report - Clemson Preview
• Robert Irby: Three Reasons Why Virginia Tech Could Beat Clemson
• Justin Cates: Basketball Season (and Clemson) us Upon Us
• Sam Jessee: LOCK$ of Saturday - Week 14
• Brett Smith: Prokies in the NFL - Week 12
• Preston Huennekens: Hokie History - Virginia Tech's Path to the ACC

It is a very good day to queue God's Gonna Cut You Down, chant "Let's Go... Hokies" and start jumping to Enter Sandman before swaying to We Ready.

Whatever happens, happens and after tonight, let's think about being six days away from getting the Commonwealth Cup back.