Virginia Tech vs. Clemson: Latest Spread Info, BCS Impact and Predictions

The ACC Championship game takes off on Saturday, as ACC Atlantic champion the Clemson Tigers (9-3, 6-2), take on ACC Coastal champion the Virginia Tech Hokies (11-1, 7-1). 

Earlier in the year, the Tigers took down the Hokies 23-3. However since then, Virginia Tech has ripped off seven straight wins, while Clemson has struggled, winning just five of their last eight games.

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

When: Saturday Dec. 3, 8:00 PM ET

Watch: ESPN, ESPN-3D and ESPN-3.com

Spread: According to Bodog, the point spread has Virginia Tech favored by seven points. Take the Hokies in this game, as they are playing at a high level since their loss to Clemson. 

Over/Under: According to Bodog, the over/under in this game is 53.5 points. Take the under in this game, as when these two teams met earlier in the year the combined score was 26 points. Clemson has played awful on defense in their last three games. However, Virginia Tech’s offense is not that explosive, and will not put up enough points to be over. 

Key Injuries Clemson:

OL Brandon Thomas. Thomas is probable for Saturday’s game with a leg injury. 

T Phillip Price. Price is probable for Saturday’s game with a knee injury. 

PK Spencer Benton. Benton is out for the season due to a shoulder injury.

Key Injuries Virginia Tech:

LB Bruce Taylor. Taylor is out for the season with a Lisfranc sprain on his right foot.

LB Jeron Gouveia-Winslow. Gouveia-Winslow is out for the season with an injured left foot.

DT Antoine Hopkins. Hopkins is out for the season with a torn ACL.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

A win for Clemson or Virginia Tech will clinch a spot in this year’s Orange Bowl. However if Virginia Tech loses, they still have a shot at making a BCS bowl game as an at-large bid. 

Keys to Clemson Win:

Clemson has to shut down Virginia Tech’s rushing game. When the Tigers shut down the Hokies offense in their win, they contained the running game, while forcing the passing game beat them. 

Clemson has to get Tajh Boyd time to throw. He didn’t have a great game against Virginia Tech, however he has the ability to win this game by himself. 

Clemson has to get WR Sammy Watkins involved in the offense. He is their best player, aside from Boyd. If they can get the ball into their playmaker’s hands, he can take over the game by himself. 

Keys to Virginia Tech Win:

Virginia Tech has to get their passing game going. Against Clemson in their loss they were only able to gain 125 yards through the air.

Virginia Tech has to shut down Tajh Boyd. When they met the last time, Boyd didn’t have a great game, but he didn’t have a bad game either. They have to put pressure on Boyd to force turnovers. 

Virginia Tech has to get a big game from running back David Wilson. In their game earlier in the year, Wilson had a good game. However, he needs to find the end zone in the championship game, if the Hokies expect to win.

Prediction:

Clemson was the only team to defeat the Hokies this season. They took away their passing game completely, while only allowing the Hokies to run for 133 yards. 

However that was seven weeks ago, and this is a completely different Virginia Tech team. Virginia Tech will run Wilson a lot in this game, and will control this game from start to finish. 

Virginia Tech 27 - Clemson 10

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