With kickoff just hours away and an Orange Bowl victory on the line, No. 7 Clemson has been enjoying all that South Florida has to offer ahead of the Tigers matchup Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium versus No. 6 Tennessee.
Clemson faces a 10-2 Volunteers team that has seen a big leap in on-field success this season thanks largely in part to quarterback Hendon Hooker and Tennessee’s quick tempo offense.
Both teams have faced some significant personnel attrition since the end of the regular season.
Clemson saw a change in its QB1 with long-time starter D.J. Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State after freshman Cade Klubnik took over the starting role in the Tigers ACC Championship win over North Carolina. Head coach Dabo Swinney and his team will also be without defensive end Myles Murphy (opt out) and linebacker Trenton Simpson (ankle injury) in Friday night’s matchup.
Tennessee has also seen a change in quarterbacks with Joe Milton III taking over since Hendon Hooker, who sustained a torn ACL versus Georgia back in November.
In addition to Hooker, the Volunteers will also be without receivers Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt as well as offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, who took over the USF head coaching job earlier this month.
Here’s a look at the pregame buzz ahead of Clemson’s Orange Bowl matchup against Tennessee on Twitter.
Clemson has not lost a football game in December since Dec. 31, 2010 (Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. USF).
The Tigers have won 15 straight games in the month of December.
— Kelly Gramlich (@kellygramlich) December 30, 2022
Game day mood pic.twitter.com/HeForW2b9D
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) December 30, 2022
It’s Orange Bowl GAMEDAY! pic.twitter.com/WERe0UvfN8
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) December 30, 2022
I woke up feeling the Orangee-est coach!!!
Let’s go @ClemsonFB !! #BeatUT
— Jeff Holley (@JeffHolley99) December 30, 2022
After captains are selected weekly by Coach Swinney in-season, Clemson…
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