No. 4 Clemson looks for clincher against struggling Virginia Tech

Clemson is one victory away from a sixth consecutive trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game and the No. 4 Tigers would seem to be facing Virginia Tech at the right time.

The Hokies (4-5, 4-4) have lost three straight as their running game, once among the best in the country, has struggled in recent weeks, particularly on third down.

The Tigers (8-1, 7-1) will earn a spot in the ACC title game against No. 2 Notre Dame if they win. They are expecting the Hokies, coming off a bye, to be humming again on offense.

"They stress you. This is a team schematically that really knows what they're doing and we're going to have to be ready," Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. "We're going to have to play really well, lots of discipline. You don't stop the run against these guys, you're in trouble."

Hokies coach Justin Fuente used the bye week to give veterans some time off and allow younger players to do the brunt of the work in practice, hoping his team will be fresh against the Tigers and against rival Virginia to complete the regular season.

"I think our guys feel much better. I thought it was the most important thing we could do in the bye week," Fuente said. "Certainly, we need practice and we need to improve and all those sorts of things, but you get to the point where the law of diminishing returns comes into effect. That's exactly what we needed both mentally and physically. It's not just nine games in a row. And not to keep harping on this, but the mental strain of everything that is going on through (the pandemic) has been pretty difficult.

"I think our guys needed a little breath of fresh air and a chance to catch their breath for a couple of days."

Especially before looking at film of the Tigers.

Here are some things to watch when Clemson visits Virginia Tech:

SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE

Virginia Tech has run for 24 touchdowns and leads the ACC with an average of 250.9 rushing yards. The Tigers have allowed six rushing touchdowns all season.

SACKSBURG

The Hokies are fourth nationally with 32 sacks, and Clemson is even better, ranking second with 36. The underdog Hokies hope their pressure on Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence can create game-changing plays.

AWARD WINNER

Clemson backup running back Darien Rencher was named winner of the Disney Spirit Award, given to the most inspirational player, team, coach, staffer or figure in college football. Rencher, a fifth-year senior, helped organize Clemson's march for unity in the aftermath of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police. He and Lawrence helped organize players across the country this summer to push for college football to be played amid the pandemic.

ATTENTION GETTER

Hokies running back Khalil Herbert is averaging 167.8 all-purpose yards, which ranks second in the country among players seeing duty in five or more games behind Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (184.0).

"I wish Herbert were still at Kansas," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said this week. "He is an excellent player. He has great vision, great instincts and great burst. He is hard to get down. He gets a lot of yards after contact."

EASIER PATH

The ACC announced this week that Clemson's postponed game at Florida State will not be made up, meaning Tigers will end their regular season at Virginia Tech. Notre Dame also had a rescheduled game canceled, locking the Irish into the title game on Dec. 19. Clemson would also wrap up a spot in the championship game with a loss by Miami, which has three games left.

NO. 4 CLEMSON @ VIRGINIA TECH

No. 4 Clemson (9-1, 8-1 ACC, No. 3 CFP) at Virginia Tech (4-5. 4-4), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST (ABC).

Line: Clemson by 22.

Series record: Clemson leads 22-12-1.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Tigers can clinch a sixth consecutive berth in the ACC championship, and a rematch with No. 2 Notre Dame, which beat the Tigers at home when Clemson was without Trevor Lawrence. The Hokies are looking to end a three-game losing streak.

KEY MATCHUP

Virginia Tech's running game against the Clemson defense. The Tigers are allowing just over 100 yards per game on the ground, and while some of that may be related to their tendency to pull ahead, they will face a team whose offense relies on a running game that has averaged 250.9 yards. The ability to slow QB Hendon Hooker and the ground game will be key.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clemson: Lawrence. As the QB goes, so goes the offense. Despite missing time for COVID-19 issues, he has thrown for 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Get him rattled? You might have a chance at taking advantage.

Virginia Tech: Hooker. He is the only Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback with more than one 150-yard rushing performances, and he will need to be at his elusive and productive best against the Tigers.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Tigers are just 3-3 in games played in December. ... Clemson has won the last five games in the series and holds a 22-12-1 edge, including a 2-0 record in ACC championship games. ... Lawrence returned last week and threw for 403 yards and two TDs. ... Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert leads the ACC with an average of 167.8 all-purpose yards per game. ... The Hokies lead the ACC in rushing offense (250.9 ypg), while Clemson ranks third in rushing defense (102.6 ypg).