Clemson will need laser like focus going into this weekend. That may or may not be an issue, as speculation and rumors swirl surrounding Dabo Swinney's future in Tiger Town. The LSU job has become the latest topic and Swinney is a name that may be of interest in Baton Rouge. However, Swinney said earlier this week he has no interest in the gig. Dabo respomded to the speculation by saying "I'm focused my own Death Valley".
This week the Tigers will need to be "All In" on the task at hand. Clemson travels to take on a Pitt that's 5-1 and 2-0 in ACC play. Pitt has downed teams like Tennessee ad Virginia Tech among others. Their lone loss is a head scratcher, as they fell to Western Michigan.
On paper, the two teams look to worlds apart offensively. Pitt comes in averaging 48 points per game to Clemson's 20.5. The Panthers average over 530 total yards per game, which is well over 200 more per game than the Clemson offense. Pitt is outscoring opponents by an average of 28 per game, while Clemson has been winning ugly with a margin at 8 per.
The defensive side is closer in terms of stats, with Clemson holding advantages in most categories. Clemson is allowing 12.5 PPG, Pitt is giving up 20 per. The yardage is similar with Clemson allowing 315 total yards per to Pitt's 319. The run defense for Pitt is one defensive category where they have a slight advantage statistically. Clemson has given up 113 yards on the ground per, Pitt is right at 100 per.
It's been clear to this point that Clemson has won in lackluster fashion. The Tigers have survived in down to the wire games against Georgia Tech, BC and Syracuse. The only common opponent is Georgia Tech, which Pitt beat handily 52-21 in Atlanta. It is clear Clemson will need to have one of their best performances of the season come 3:30 Saturday afternoon.
