And so we meet again? Although this will be James Franklin's first trip into Death Valley, he is quite familiar with the Clemson Tigers, especially their defensive coordinator, Tom Allen. After Allen was let go by Indiana following the 2023 season, Franklin hired him to run his defense with Manny Diaz off to Duke. Although they only worked together for one year, Allen helped Penn State get to the semifinals.
Last year saw the Tigers take on Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl, but Franklin was already out of a job by then. After the season, he brought with him many former Penn State players to Virginia Tech. While Allen was able to land Elliot Washington II for himself, there is an interesting dynamic at play here between these two well-thought-of coaches. They clearly have a ton of respect for one another.
During Monday's meeting with the media, Franklin said he is well aware of some of Allen's tendencies from a defensive play-calling standpoint, "but he also knows that we know those things --so he'll probably have some tweaks, too." Franklin would later say that Allen knows what type of offense Virginia Tech will want to run from their Penn State overlap. "We're dealing with a similar challenge."
Franklin says that goes both ways because Allen obviously has some familiarity with Franklin's offensive concepts from Penn State/Virginia Tech. Franklin: "We're dealing with a similar challenge" https://t.co/q8lVAumql8
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) October 19, 2026
Tom Allen cannot do everything to slow down James Franklin's Hokies
Since Franklin favors the offensive side of the ball, we could be looking at a tremendous chess match between Allen's defense and the Virginia Tech offense. Clemson did get a good look at new Virginia Tech starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer during the Pinstripe Bowl. He took over midseason for Drew Allar once he suffered his season-ending injury. Grunkemeyer was impressive down the stretch.
Because Allen will know Franklin's tendencies, and vice versa, it could be more about how Chad Morris and his offense go about attacking Brent Pry's defense. Keep in mind that Pry was retained by Franklin as his defensive coordinator after he was relieved of his head-coaching duties midseason. Pry was the defensive coordinator in State College before Diaz, who was right before Allen was there.
In a way, we could be seeing two different games within the game on Saturday night. It will be Allen and Franklin going at it, with Morris and Pry largely deciding the game whenever their units are on the field. Dabo Swinney will want to inject his ideas into everything, but so many former Power Four head coaches will be calling the shots in this one. It is why whoever's players execute better will likely win.
To be frank, familiarity only goes so far. Coaches, players, and teams may be familiar with themselves and the situations they are being thrust into, but none of that is going to matter once toe meets leather. It is about the team that handles adversity the best. The team that adapts the best will stand the best chance of winning this crucial game in ACC play. The winner could even make it to Charlotte!
It may not be the primetime game everyone wanted, but let's still get our popcorn ready for it anyway.
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