The second half of Clemson's 2026 season begins in earnest when the Tigers host the Virginia Tech Hokies under the bright lights of Death Valley on Saturday night. These are a pair of two-loss teams in the ACC. A win for either could put the victor into serious contention to get to Charlotte, while a loss may be too much to overcome. With Clemson only favored by 2.5 points, it may go down to the wire.
FanDuel Sportsbook has had Clemson as a slight favorite ever since the line opened. It suggests that this game being at Clemson will be the deciding factor in this game. Virginia Tech at Clemson features two of the game's most polarizing head coaches: James Franklin and Dabo Swinney. It also gives us two teams that are still trying to figure things out, despite looking like bowl teams early on.
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Clemson has one of the worst passing offenses in the country. Chad Morris has been under fire the last few weeks for his offense's inability to throw the ball downfield with any conviction. On the other hand, Franklin's team loves to concede leads in the second half. Unless Virginia Tech blows someone out in the first half, the Hokies will always let their opponent back into games. This one should be wild.
For Clemson to come out on top in this ACC game, these five stars will need to shine the brightest.
Christian Bentancur has to build off his best game in a Clemson uniform
There is no way around it. Clemson's passing offense has to become exponentially more dynamic in the second half. Morris has talked about getting more explosive, but wants to stay up in the booth. He cannot have it both ways, but that does not change the fact that a star has emerged in the receiving game for Clemson. That would be tight end Christian Bentancur, who really turned heads on Saturday.
Bentancur's four catches for 74 yards led the way for the entire Clemson receiving game. Outside of scoring on Tait Reynolds' lone touchdown pass to date, this was Bentancur's best game at Clemson. By being able to provide a lift in the short-to-medium passing game, Bentancur could very well be the key that unlocks all of Reynolds' untapped potential. They need to get on the same page more often.
A few early completions to Bentancur could go a long way in Clemson figuring it all out on offense.
Ashton Hampton must show everyone why he should be a top-16 pick
If there is any player on the Clemson roster slated to go in the first round, it would have to be star cornerback Ashton Hampton. He has been nothing short of a technician out there on an island all season long. Hampton not only shuts down inferior opponents, but will save his best for when the game requires it. His only pick of the season came against LSU. He also kept Malachi Toney in check.
With Virginia Tech being arguably Clemson's toughest opponent the rest of the way, Hampton has to put more good things on tape in this one. While that has not always translated into victories for the Tigers, he has to be the driving force for the entire defense. He has been their tone-setter all year long. That cannot change in the game that could define Clemson's season, for better or for worse.
If Hampton balls out like we all know that he can, he will be approaching lock territory to go top-16.
TJ Moore cannot let his first-half struggles get in the way of what is ahead
Outside of Reynolds, there may not have been a Clemson player more scrutinized for his play last week than wide receiver TJ Moore. While Reynolds tried to throw him the ball in the end zone for six points, they could not get on the same page. This did not stop Swinney from calling out his receivers. While Moore, Tyler Brown, and Bryant Wesco Jr. could all play on Sundays, Moore has to show it now.
It was only a week ago that Rubbing the Rock challenged Bentancur to have a better second half than the first. He went out and played his best game to date in a Clemson uniform. That is not to say that is precisely what Moore needs to do, but he must be part of the solution to Clemson's passing woes, and no longer a problem. There are other games to be had, but the runway is shrinking fast.
If Moore is a non-factor in the receiving game again, that will be a massive problem for Clemson.
Tait Reynolds must throw for his first touchdown pass in over a month
The coddling needs to stop! It does not matter if last week was Reynolds' greatest Clemson to date or not. This Saturday must be exponentially better than his four other starts combined. Reynolds has to not only throw for his first touchdown in over a month, but also be a driving force for Clemson to win this game at home. Simply put, he must put it all together and level up. Otherwise, it could be an issue.
Virginia Tech may be one of the better teams in the ACC, but the Hokies are not world beaters by any means. If Reynolds cannot make a few plays with his arms and legs at home in this one, is he ever going to do so this season? To be fair, he may have hit the freshman wall. That being said, he still has to overcome this steep learning curve in order to have Clemson fans excited about his future.
This game might decide if Clemson needs to go into the portal or not at quarterback this offseason.
Elliot Washington II has to prove leaving James Franklin was the right call
Give Elliot Washington II credit for not doing what was popular during his trip into the transfer portal. While the former Penn State defensive back could have followed Franklin to Blacksburg, he decided it was in his best interest to reunite with Tom Allen at Clemson. Together, they have played a huge part in turning around this secondary. It is amazing what happens when you land the right pieces out of the portal.
With Hampton being otherworldly at the other cornerback spot, do not be shocked to see Franklin try to throw the ball in Washington's direction. Ethan Grunkemeyer has proven to be quite the starting quarterback for him. However, Washington has often come up big when the game requires it for Allen. He has three interceptions this year: One versus North Carolina and two to stifle Cal on the road.
Washington has to prove that he made the right decision to leave Franklin behind in favor of Allen.
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