The Clemson University football team is scheduled to visit Blacksburg in 2024 for the first time since 2020's infamous water sprinkler game.
what: Clemson Tigers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
when: November 9th, time TBA
where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
Series History: Clemson leads the series 23-12-1. The Tigers won 45-10 the last time they met at Lane Stadium in 2020, with few fans in attendance because of the pandemic. Tech last won this series in 2007, a 41-23 victory in Death Valley.
Virginia Tech 2023 Statistics
All statistics are for FBS competition only on teamrankings.com.
Points per game: 29.5 (45th)
Yards per game: 391.5 (55th)
Goals conceded per game: 23.9 (46th)
Yards allowed per game: 318.6 (15th)
Virginia Tech is considered a favorite to win the championship this season by many prognosticators, and the main reason for that is likely the return of quarterback Kyron Draughn.
Draughns passed for just over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, and also used his legs to add more than 800 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Ali Jennings returns this season and will give the Draughns a legitimate target, but they also have three other solid pass-catching players returning. The offensive line wasn't a strength last season, but all five starters return, along with some promising transfers.
Defensively, the secondary looks to be a strength again, leading the team to a top-20 finish in yards allowed in 2023. The front seven has been bolstered with several transfers, including Aeneas Peebles from Duke University.
The Hokies got off to a poor start against non-conference opponents last season, finishing with a 7-6 record. There's a chance they can reverse that trend in 2024, as the Hokies will face Vanderbilt, Marshall, Old Dominion and Rutgers this season.
But the devil is in the details, and one demon the Hokies will likely want to exorcise is performance against the toughest competition: Virginia Tech lost 108-48 to Florida State, Louisville and North Carolina State last season.
Given the strength of Virginia Tech's secondary, the Tigers will need Phil Muffa to get as many yards as he can on the ground and force the Hokies to get their safeties up front.
The Hokies have a manageable schedule before opening ACC play at Miami and then hosting Clemson. Lane Stadium is a tough venue to play at due to the Hokies' loyal fanbase, and if Tech is undefeated or close to it when it hosts the Tigers, the crowd will be a big factor.
