Here are three key matchups for Clemson entering this afternoon's game with Virginia:
1 Clemson offensive tackles vs. Virginia OLB Clint Sintim
The Cavaliers employ a 3-4 defensive scheme and OLB Clint Sintim is their designated pass rusher. He leads the ACC with 11 sacks. DE Alex Field has four more. The Cavaliers are second in the ACC with 28 sacks, while the Tigers have given up 24 sacks on the season. Only Wake Forest (25) and Virginia Tech (32) have given up more sacks. LT Chris Hairston, who was knocked out of the Florida State game with a concussion, and RT Landon Walker will have their work cut out for them. Hairston appeared to be fine against Duke, but does FSU DE Everette Brown ring any bells?
2 Clemson pass defense against Virginia passing game
Virginia sophomore QB Marc Verica has gotten better as the season has progressed. He's second in the ACC, averaging 200 passing yards per game and completes 64 percent of his passes. The Cavaliers have the ACC's second-ranked passing offense as Verica as three main targets — WR Kevin Ogletree, TE John Phillips and RB Cedric Peerman. All three have more than 35 receptions. Verica relies on a short passing game, so getting pressure on him is nearly impossible. The Tigers will have to be patient and wait for Verica to make a mistake, which he is capable of doing with 12 INTs on the season.
3Virginia vs. Virginia
OK, so this really isn't a matchup, but look at the Cavaliers this season, they give Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde bad names. The Cavaliers started the season 1-3, then won four in a row, now they've lost two straight. Virginia has some nice wins on their resume, North Carolina (16-13 OT), Georgia Tech (24-17) and Maryland (31-0). They also have some dreadful losses: Duke (31-3), Connecticut (45-10) and Southern Cal (52-7). So which Cavaliers team shows up will have a lot to do with the outcome of this game.
Outlook
Which Virginia team will show up? The Virginia team that beat Maryland 31-0 or the Virginia team that lost to Duke, 31-3. The Cavaliers have been a better team at home and the Tigers have lost their last two games at Scott Stadium. The Cavaliers have won ugly, so a high scoring game should benefit the Tigers. If the Tigers can control the line of scrimmage as they did last week against Duke, this one won't be close. If C.J. Spiller, who has become a focal point in the Tigers offense the last three weeks, has 15-to-20 touches, Clemson should win relatively easily. Still an ugly win is still a win.
