App State vs. No. 25 Clemson: Will’s Preview and Prediction

CLEMSON — Clemson will look to get off to a flying start when it hosts Appalachian State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

25^t-ranked Tigers looked flat and uninspired in their season-opening loss to top-ranked Georgia last week. They will try to use a packed house in Death Valley to inspire them against the Mountaineers.

The Tigers have lost just three games at Memorial Stadium since late 2013 and are 65-3 (.956) at home in the College Football Playoff era.

Clemson will put that rating to the test when it hosts App State in its home opener. Returning home for the first of seven games this season is exactly what the doctor prescribed for a Clemson team that may be questioning the outcome.

Coach Dabo Swinney hopes a packed Death Valley gym will help the Tigers get back on track.

“Our audience is so important. Our audience is amazing,” he said. “The environment is amazing. That makes all the difference.”

App State on Clemson’s No. 25 team

Beginning: Saturday, 8:00 p.m.

Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson

TV: ACC

Proliferation: Clemson-17

Above/below: 52.5

Number: Clemson leads the series 5-0

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Clemson is looking to avoid its first 0-2 start since 1975. The 1982 Tigers went winless in the first two weeks of the season. But after losing to Georgia in the season opener, they tied Boston College 17-17 in Week 2. The 1975 Tigers lost their first four games of the season.

A key clash

Clemson’s running game needs to get going this week. Last week, the Tigers managed just 46 yards, though those numbers can be deceiving. Running back Phil Mafah ran for 59 yards on 16 attempts and averaged nearly four yards per attempt. Keith Adams had a six-yard run on his only carry. Clemson finished with just 23 attempts. The Tigers should have focused more on the running game, which they will need to do this week. App State is more durable on offense compared to past years and will line up to stop Clemson’s running game. However, the Tigers need to focus on the run and allow Mafah and his big offensive line to wear down the Mountaineers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

After opening his second straight season with a touchdown throw on his first attempt of the year, App State quarterback Joey Aguilar finished the season with 326 passing yards, two touchdown throws and two rushing touchdowns in the Mountaineers’ 38-10 win over East Tennessee State in last week’s opener. He is the only returning quarterback in the country with more than 33 touchdown passes and more than 3,700 passing yards in 2023.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (3,683) needs 317 yards passing to become the 12th player in Clemson history to reach 4,000 career passing yards. He needs 239 yards combined passing and rushing to join the top 15 in Clemson history in total yards. Former Clemson star DeChane Cameron currently ranks 15th (4,226 from 1988-91). Klubnik is also 324 yards behind Kelly Bryant (4,311 from 2015-18) for 14th^t place.

THIS AND THAT

Clemson is trying to win its 21st consecutive home opener. A win would extend Clemson’s longest home opener winning streak in history, surpassing 17 from 1944-’60. – Clemson is trying to improve to 99-17-8 in home openers.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Clemson can’t let Georgia beat them twice. The Tigers should be able to run the ball with Phil Mafah, which will open up the passing game. But can Clemson’s receivers get open and put up a better effort than they did against Georgia? The Clemson defense will have its hands full trying to limit quarterback Joey Aguilar. But you have to feel like the Tigers will be furious with the defense and will want to prove that last week’s performance in Atlanta was a fluke.

FORECAST

Clemson 35, App State 17