CLEMSON — The last time Clemson played Stanford in a football game, Dabo Swinney was playing basketball for the Pelham High School Panthers in Pelham, Ala.
“We were playing in the ‘Big Orange Classic’ at Barry High School that is now called Hoover High School,” Swinney said. “We played in the ‘Big Orange Classic every single year. Those were great times man.”
Clemson and Stanford met in the Gator Bowl Classic on December 27, 1986. Swinney was a junior in high school at the time. On Saturday, he will be trying to win his 100 th game at Memorial Stadium as Clemson’s head football coach.
“That was my junior year. There was a lot going on in my young life at that time,” Swinney said.
Stanford at No. 17 Clemson
Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
TV: ESPN
Spread: Clemson -22
Over/Under: 57.5
Series: Clemson leads series 1-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
This is the second ACC game for both teams. The winner positions themselves for a good run in the conference, while the loser will have to adjust and hope it can get itself back into conference championship game contention.
KEY MATCHUP
Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels is a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his arms and his legs. Against Syracuse a week ago, he threw for 178 yards and a score, while also running for 45 more yards. Look for the Cardinal to try and attack Clemson on the edge with his mobility where Peter Woods plays. The Tigers have been acceptable to big plays on the side of the defensive line due to its inexperience. Stanford will try to exploit that with Daniels’ ability to run. Eye discipline on RPO plays will be extremely important for the Clemson defense when it comes to this matchup.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clemson running back Phil Mafah is second in the ACC with 8.61 yards per carry amongst starting running backs. So far, no one has been able to fully shut him down, including Georgia. Mafah has rushed for 284 yards and scored two touchdowns in the first three weeks.
Stanford wideout Elic Ayomanor is one of the country’s best receivers. He can make any catch anywhere and is a legitimate NFL wide receiver. He has 17 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown. He is averaging 13.8 yards per catch. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he plays like a Mike Williams or Tee Higgins type.
THIS AND THAT
Clemson and Stanford have met just once before on the gridiron. The Tigers, with orange clad Clemson fans packed into the stadium, beat Stanford 27-21 in the 1986 Gator Bowl Classic. Clemson opened the game with 27 unanswered points and then hung on for a six-point victory as the Cardinal made a ferocious comeback but fell short at the end. Clemson great, Rodney Williams, was named the MVP, as the Tigers finished the 1986 season 8-2-2 and as ACC Champions.
FINAL ANALYSIS
Last week, Stanford held Syracuse to 26 rushing yards and then used a pick six and another turnover to setup another touchdown, as they stunned the Orange in their first ACC contest. The Cardinal will likely try a similar scheme against the Tigers, but Cade Klubnik and his big-play receivers will have an answer for such. Look for the Tigers to roll and the Clemson defense to play much better.
PREDICTION
Clemson 38, Stanford 14
–File photo USA TODAY SPORTS
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