ACC Championship: 5 Reasons Why Va Tech Avenges Its Loss to Clemson

Virgina Tech and the Clemson Tigers will square off today for the ACC championship. For the Hokies, it's not just a matter of winning the ACC championship, they can also avenge their only loss.

Earlier in the season, the Tigers defeated the Hokies 23-3 on Virgina Techs home field. However, this game will not be a repeat of the first.

Virginia Tech is a team on a mission, and Clemson is just a team in the way.

The Hokies are holding on to slim hopes of making the BCS national championship game. However, they must first defeat Clemson.

Frank Beamer Has Too Much Experience in Big Games

Both Dabo Swinney and Frank Beamer are terrific coaches. Swinney is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in all of college football.

Beamer, however, is a tested veteran that has been in position many times and knows how to win this game. Preparation for a championship game is different than any other type of preparation.

Swinney is a coach that will be great at big game. Beamer is a coach who is great at big game preparation.

Clemson has talent, but the Hokies have a true general as a coach. Beamer is one of the top coaches in the nation,and it will show in this game.

Virginia Tech Will Handle the Pressure Better

Defenses play better in big games because nerves have a less of an impact on a defensive player. Offensive players tend to have nervous hands and shaky feet.

The Tigers have big-play offense but they disappear at times as well. If they are unable to get any large plays early or miss a few could have been plays, and Clemson will hang their heads, and the game will be over.

Clemson has little room for error in this game. Virginia Tech is the more physical and dominating team at this point in the season, and the Tigers need early momentum to stay in this game.

One nervous throw and the Hokies can turn it into a pick six.

The Hokies Running Game Will Wear Down the Tigers Defense

Virginia Tech boasts the most underrated running back in college football in David Wilson. Wilson has carried the ball 255 times for 1595 and scored nine touchdowns.

Clemson is good at very little on defense. This is why they are 66th in the nation in scoring defense. Virginia Tech will be able to run the ball down the throat of the Clemson defense and control the time of possession.

The longer the defense is off the field, the less chance Clemson’s high-powered offense will have to make big plays.

Look for the Hokies to wear Clemson down and pull away in the third.

Momentum Is Strongly in the Favor of Virginia Tech

In regards to momentum, this is a tale of two teams. The Hokies have won seven games in a row and destroyed Virginia 38-0. Clemson, on the other hand, has lost three of their last four games.

Clemson is not just losing, they have been outscored 35 to 17 in their last two games.

The Tigers are looking like the Clemson of old. The players have to be wondering if they are even a legit top-25 team at this time.

What makes this kind of momentum so powerful is that one team is playing with confidence, and another team is seconding guessing their every move.

Make no mistake about it, confidence matters, and Virginia Tech has it all.

A Great Defense Trumps a Good Offense

The Virginia Tech defense is fast, furious and determined to avenge their early-season defeat to Clemson.  Clemson was able to confuse Virginia Tech early in the season, but with a full season of game films before this game, the Hokies will be ready.

The Hokies are seventh in the nation in defensive scoring at 15.5 points per game. Clemson, on the other hand, is scoring 33.3 points per game.

More times than not, when a great defense meets a good offense, the great defense wins. Clemson will have to fight for every yard, and as I mentioned earlier, the Hokies are going to control the time of possession.

Look for Virginia Tech to force at least three turnovers in this game as they run away with it.