Cade Klubnik must have an impressive performance for the Tigers as they head to Blacksburg on Saturday.
The 19th-ranked Clemson Tigers are set to visit Blacksburg this Saturday for an eagerly awaited clash with the Virginia Tech Hokies. Clemson began its season with a challenging game against Georgia, where they managed to keep it close in the first half but ultimately lost 34-3. However, the Tigers quickly regained their form, winning their next six games before suffering a defeat to Louisville last Saturday, which may have jeopardized their chances for the college football playoffs.
At the center of Clemson’s success has been their quarterback, Cade Klubnik. A highly touted 5-star recruit from Austin, TX, Klubnik’s time at Clemson has been a mix of brilliance and inconsistency. His performance in the opener against Georgia was less than stellar, as he faced significant pressure throughout the game, finishing 18-for-29 with 142 yards and an interception. It’s worth noting that many quarterbacks struggle against a formidable Georgia defense (just ask Quinn Ewers).
After the challenging start, Klubnik began to hit his stride, producing respectable numbers over the next six games. One of his standout performances in 2024 came against Stanford, where he threw four touchdown passes. He currently ranks 6th in the A.C.C. for passing yards, totaling 2,064.
In contrast, Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones sits at 14th in passing yards within the league. During the game against Louisville, Clemson found itself trailing for most of the match, leading to Klubnik attempting a staggering 56 passes—an amount even Head Coach Dabo Swinney would likely deem excessive. If the Hokies can apply consistent pressure on Klubnik, the Tigers may be forced to rely more on their running game.
If Klubnik can maintain his rhythm, he will put the Hokies’ secondary to the test. Virginia Tech has excelled against the pass this season, ranking 3rd in the A.C.C. with an impressive average of just 205.6 yards allowed per game. The outcome of the game will largely depend on Klubnik’s performance, so the Hokies’ defense must be prepared.
