Clemson enters Saturday’s matchup with Troy looking to bounce back after the opening-week loss to LSU. The Tigers are favored, but the Trojans aren’t strangers to pushing Power 5 teams to the edge—Clemson remembers their 30-24 scare back in 2016. For Dabo Swinney’s team, the formula for victory comes down to execution in five key areas.
1. Protect Cade Klubnik and Establish Rhythm Early
Clemson’s offensive line struggled at times against LSU, allowing pressure that disrupted Cade Klubnik’s timing. Against Troy, the Tigers must establish protection and allow Klubnik to get comfortable with quick throws and rhythm plays. If Klubnik can settle in early, Clemson’s deep receiving corps can dictate the game instead of chasing it.
2. Feed the Running Game
The Tigers managed just 2.8 yards per carry last week, a far cry from the standard Swinney expects. Backs must get downhill and stay patient against a Troy front that prides itself on gap discipline. A balanced attack will keep Troy from teeing off on Klubnik and open up play-action shots to stretch the defense vertically.
3. Win the Turnover Battle
Clemson’s defense showed flashes of dominance against LSU, but critical mistakes—including missed tackles and blown assignments—kept the door open. Against Troy, the Tigers need to finish plays, force turnovers, and give their offense extra possessions. A clean turnover margin is often the difference when Group of Five teams hang around too long.
4. Coach Better
Dabo Swinney left no doubt that he was disappointed in Garrett Riley's play-calling and some of the decisions made by the offensive staff in Saturday's loss. Make the same mistakes and you will see a Troy program cause more staffing concerns for the Tigers.
5. Keep the Pedal Down
Perhaps the biggest lesson from the 2016 meeting: never give Troy hope. The Trojans are disciplined, well-coached, and capable of hanging around if Clemson allows it. This means finishing drives with touchdowns, not field goals, and maintaining defensive focus for all four quarters. If Clemson asserts its depth and talent edge early, this should never turn into a fourth-quarter nail-biter.
Final Word
This game is about Clemson proving it can reset after the LSU loss and play to its standard. If the Tigers handle the trenches, protect Klubnik, and avoid sloppy mistakes, they’ll roll into ACC play with momentum. But take Troy lightly—and history shows that’s a dangerous game.