BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 17: Ja'ricous Hairston #13 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates with Luke Reynolds #85 after his touchdown reception against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Lane Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 2-2) head back on the road this week as they face the Clemson Tigers (4-2, 2-1) in Death Valley. This is an important game for both programs, as neither can afford another ACC loss, especially the Hokies, if they hope to earn a berth in the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson’s two losses this season came against the current No. 1 team (Miami) and the current No. 18 team (LSU). On the surface, that’s impressive. However, the Tigers lost those games by a combined score of 92-23. Meanwhile, the Hokies’ two losses came against Pittsburgh and Cal. One of Clemson’s four wins came against Cal. Virginia Tech’s two losses came from self-inflicted mistakes.

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So, who has the advantage? The Tigers are favored by 2.5 points, likely due to their home-field advantage. On paper, this looks like a toss-up. Virginia Tech has struggled in some areas, and so has Clemson. Tech’s defense has struggled to defend explosive plays. The Tigers’ offense has been anemic, especially the passing game, which averages 187.5 yards per game — last in the ACC. They have only two touchdown passes all season. Seemingly, something would have to give there.

Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who started the season before he was hurt in Week 2, could return this week. Freshman Tait Reynolds has mostly filled in for him. Head coach Dabo Swinney offered the following update on Vizzina.

“He’s had his best week by far,” Swinney said, via Grayson Mann of TigerNet. “I don’t know if he’s still 100%, but he’s probably 90% or better. He’s closer than he’s been, and he’s had a really good week of practice. So it’s been good to really see him just kind of have this confidence and to practice with the type of intensity and tempo that he needs, really doing everything within the offense. Whether it’s ball handling, running, making all the throws, so he’s had a good week.”

There will not be a quarterback change, though, as Swinney said the starting job now belongs to Reynolds.

We previewed this game by the numbers. Here are three keys to a Virginia Tech win, the betting odds, and how to watch Saturday’s game.

3 Clemson players to watch

• QB Tait Reynolds: Reynolds has appeared in all six games and made four starts. He has only one touchdown pass. The Hokies don’t want to be the team where that changes. Reynolds hasn’t put up big rushing numbers yet, but he’s a terrific athlete who can make you pay for your mistakes.
• RB Gideon Davidson: Clemson’s top back is from Virginia Tech’s backyard. The 6-f00t-0, 200-pound sophomore is from Lynchburg. He leads Clemson in rushing with 430 yards and averages over five yards per attempt. He also leads the team with five touchdowns.
• DE Will Heldt: The former Purdue transfer is in his second year with the Tigers. After leading the team with 7.5 sacks last season, Heldt leads them with four so far this season. He could be a matchup problem for Virginia Tech’s offensive tackles.

3 Hokies to watch

• QB Ethan Grunkemeyer: This is a huge test for Grunkemeyer. He’s having a phenomenal year, but the Tigers present a different challenge. Although the Tigers aren’t quite where they were five years ago, they still play excellent defense. Grunkemeyer led Penn State to a bowl win over Clemson last season. If he can go down to Death Valley and lead the Hokies to an ACC road win, that’s a massive feather in his cap.
• TE Luke Reynolds: Clemson’s defense is good, especially its secondary. This could be a huge game for Luke Reynolds. He is a mismatch almost every week. Offensive coordinator Ty Howle must involve Reynolds early because it opens up opportunities for others.
• Jaquez White: It’s time for White to step up against a good team. Clemson’s passing offense has been bad, but the Hokies can’t be the Tigers’ “get-right” game. White has been beaten multiple times this season. The Hokies are still waiting for him to make a game-changing play. If Tech’s defense lets Clemson’s passing game go off, this game will be hard to win. The secondary, led by White, needs to step up.

3 keys to a Virginia Tech win

• Pressure Reynolds into mistakes: We keep stressing it, but the Hokies can’t let the ACC’s worst passing offense get going. If they do, winning will be much harder. The Hokies have struggled to defend explosive plays all season. Don’t rely solely on your coverage. Send extra pressure after the young quarterback. Force him to release the ball earlier than he wants. Come away with a couple of turnovers. That’s what this defense badly needs.
• Keep Davidson in check: The Hokies have mostly done a solid job against the run. Davidson is explosive. If he gets going, it opens passing lanes for Reynolds. Davidson can make an impact in the passing game, too.
• Win up front: The Hokies have multiple offensive playmakers, but if they can’t protect Grunkemeyer or open holes for Jeff Overton or Marcellous Hawkins, it will not matter. The Tigers have a solid defense at every level. Offensively, Clemson’s offensive line is shaky. The Hokies have the advantage there. They can’t get pushed around. If Tech can hold its own in the trenches on both sides, it has a good chance to win.

How to watch, betting odds

• When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
• Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Announcers: Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst) and Sherree Burruss (sideline)
• Radio: Virginia Tech Sports Network Radio. You can find a list of affiliates here.
• Streaming options: fuboTV [try it free]
• Series history: This will be the 37th all-time meeting between the Tigers and Hokies, with Clemson holding a 24-12-1 edge. Clemson has won the previous seven meetings, dating back to Oct. 1, 2011. The series was much more competitive before Swinney arrived.
• Odds: Clemson is a 2.5-point favorite, per FanDuel.

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on October 18, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Deforest Buckner #99 of the Indianapolis Colts on field during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Getty

The Green Bay Packers are facing serious problems in the heart of their defensive line. Both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Ford have landed on injured reserve, and Anthony Campbell; currently the team’s only backup defensive lineman on the active roster; was limited in practice both on Wednesday and Thursday as he continues to battle an ankle injury.

Although the Packers added former first round pick Mazi Smith earlier this week, the ex-Dallas Cowboy does not have the pedigree of a consistent starter at defensive tackle, having struggled since entering the league back in 2023.

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So it would stand to reason that the team could look to the trade market to source further options at a position that feels more and more depleted. Even with former 7th round draft pick, nose tackle Jordon Riley being designated to return from IR last week, the Packers seem very thin at a crucial position heading into the grinding portion of mid-season.

Thus it may not come as a surprise that reports have emerged that the Packers have been snooping around what would be a high-end trade target on Thursday.

The #Packers have made trade calls inquiring about #Colts DT DeForest Buckner, per multiple sources.

— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) October 22, 2026

Packers Have Inquired About DeForest Buckner – Per Reports

“The Packers have made trade calls inquiring about Colts DT DeForest Buckner, per multiple sources.” Underdog’s Tyler Brooke reported on Thursday.

Although this is not coming from the league’s top sources and insiders like Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter, nor the most notorious names in the Packers sphere, like The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, there is still reason to believe there is truth to the report.

Underdog is a reputable sports media company, and the Packers are in dire need of defensive line help. Moreover, the Packers are set to have 11 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, including two in the third and fourth rounds – per Over the Cap’s compensatory picks estimation.

Buckner and Other Colts May Be Available After GM Firing

GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Deforest Buckner #99 of the Indianapolis Colts on field during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Since the firing of former Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard after the team’s Week 6 loss to the Tennessee Titans, rumors of a fire sale in Indianapolis have lead to almost all of the team’s top players being linked with a move away.

Although Buckner is 32 years of age now, and has not made a Pro Bowl since 2023, he is nonetheless continuing to operate at a high level. Through the first six games of the season, the former San Francisco 49er already has 4 sacks from the interior of the defensive line.

Buckner’s deal expires at the end of the season, and it is likely that his next team will have to pay at least a reasonable amount to acquire his services again in 2027. A third round pick in next year’s draft will likely be close to the price.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

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