Clemson Football: The picks are in! Staff picks for the Orange Bowl

It’s down to one last game for Clemson football in 2022 – the Orange Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers Friday in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The 11-2 Tigers are once again ACC Champs and take on a 10-2 Tennessee team that’ll be missing some stars, especially on offense.

The Tigers are missing a couple themselves and Cade Klubnik will get his first start as the Clemson quarterback.

What’s it all mean as far as the Orange Bowl goes?

Here’s the breakdown from our staff.

John Chancey (Champion of the RTR Pick ’em)

Here is a stark reality for Vols fans: Joe Milton III is not Hendon Hooker. Milton is the guy that lost the job to Hooker, and transferred from Michigan because he lost the job to the guy who is now transferring because he lost the job. On the other side, Tennessee allows even more passing yards per game than North Carolina. I don’t think this one is even close.

Houston “Houston vs Everyone” Burnett

This game unofficially kicks off the 2023 season. With rumors of who is staying and going, one thing is for certain: Cade Klubnik will be QB1 in 2023. I think the new years starts with a bang and a new wave of energy picks up for next season.

Casey “The Beef” Cregan

Whoa Nelly, we’ve got a doozy in Miami.  I have mixed emotions about the Orange Bowl overall.  I was there for both the debacle against West Virginia and the Oklahoma play-off victory.  I feel like this game versus Tennessee has the ability to be either of these games.  I do like the match-up of the Clemson offense against the UT defense, but the inverse has to have Tennessee fans excited, even with the opt-outs and injuries to their starting QB and two WRs.  I do believe we’ll see a shoot-out in Miami Gardens.  And I cannot pick against the Tigers.  Therefore…

Marty “Seldom Used Reserve” Coleman

I see a Clemson team with a renewed energy and removed from the quarterback drama that plagued them from game one.  Sure, they said all the right things, but it had to effect them to some extent, but that’s done.  As Houston said, we know who QB1 is moving forward, there’s no doubt about that.  It won’t be all smooth sailing for Klubnik, but these 70 or so plays will be invaluable in his development.  Lower scoring than most expect, well under the 63.5 total.