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Clemson Football Oppo Research: Virginia Tech Hokies

The last time Clemson Football visited Blacksburg, there was no one in the stands, Hendon Hooker couldn't get warm, and the water sprinklers came on.

By John Chancey

Nov 18, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
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Clemson Football will visit Blacksburg in 2024 for the first time since the infamous water sprinkler game in 2020.

What: Clemson Tigers at Virginia Tech Hokies

When: November 9th, time to be determined

Where: Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia

Series History: Clemson leads the all-time series 23-12-1. The Tigers won the last meeting 45-10 in 2020 at Lane Stadium, which was mostly empty due to the pandemic. Tech’s last victory in the series was in 2007 when they won 41-23 in Death Valley.

Virginia Tech 2023 Statistics

All stats per teamrankings.com against FBS competition only

Points per game: 29.5 (45th)

Yards per game: 391.5 (55th)

Points allowed per game: 23.9 (46th)

Yards allowed per game: 318.6 (15th)

Virginia Tech is a favorite of a low of prognosticators this season. The main reason is likely their returning quarterback, Kyrone Drones.

Drones threw for just over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding over 800 yards of rushing yards and 5 touchdowns with his legs.

Ali Jennings will return this season to give Drones a legitimate target, but they have three other solid returning pass catchers as well. The offensive line wasn’t a strength last season, but all five starters return, along with a promising transfer.

Defensively, their secondary led the team to a Top 20 finish in yards allowed in 2023 and looks to be the strength again. The front seven has been reinforced with several transfers, including Aeneus Peebles from Duke.

The Hokies finished 7-6 last season after a bad start against non-conference opponents. This season, the Hokies face Vanderbilt, Marshall, Old Dominion, and Rutgers, so there is the potential to reverse that trend in 2024.

The devil is in the details, however, and one demon the Hokies probably prefer to exorcise is their performance against the best competition. Virginia Tech was outscored 108-48 against Florida State, Louisville, and NC State last season.

Given the strength of Virginia Tech's secondary, the Tigers will need Phil Mafah to eat up as many yards on the ground to force the Hokies to move their safeties up.

The Hokies will open ACC play at Miami and then will have a manageable schedule until they host Clemson. Lane Stadium is a hard place to play due to a loyal Hokie fanbase and if Tech is undefeated or close to it when they host the Tigers, the crowd will be a major factor.

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