Gameday Guide: Clemson vs. Pitt football game time, TV, stream and betting line

Clemson faces its biggest ACC challenge yet this week against No. 23 Pittsburgh, which features a high-scoring offense led by fifth-year senior quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Where does Clemson play this week? When is kickoff?

Who: Clemson (4-2, 3-1 ACC) vs. Pitt (5-1, 2-0)

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.

TV: ESPN

Stream: via ESPN app or WatchESPN

Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)

Satellite: Sirius 137, XM 193, Internet 955

Series history: The series between Clemson and Pitt is tied 2-2. The Tigers won the past two meetings, which included a 52-17 win over the Panthers in 2020. This will be the first time ever the two teams play in Pennsylvania.

Weather forecast

Considerable cloudiness. Slight chance of a rain shower. Winds west at 5 to 10 mph. Temperatures in the mid-50s during the game.

What’s at stake

If Clemson wants any chance at a seventh straight ACC championship, the Tigers cannot lose again. Pitt and its high-scoring offense will be the biggest challenge in that quest. The Tigers continue to wait for an explosive game from their offense. If this can be that game, the team can use it as a springboard for a better second half of the regular season.

Clemson vs Pittsburgh prediction

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Clemson a 37% chance to win the game. It’s the only game the rest of the way where the Tigers don’t have a 75% or greater chance for a victory, according to FPI.

Latest point spread for the game

Pitt is a 3.5 point favorite against Clemson. The Tigers haven’t been an underdog in an ACC game since 2016.

The teams, by the numbers

THREE PITT PANTHERS TO WATCH

Kenny Pickett, QB: Kenny Pickett is having a banner year and totals 1,934 passing yards to go along with 180 rushing yards for a total of 24 total touchdowns after six games played. He ranks in the nation’s top 10 in nine categories, which includes a third-best passing efficiency of 181.83 and third-most points responsible for per game (24.0).

Jordan Addison, WR: The Panthers are deep in their receiving group and Jordan Addison is one of the many weapons. As the leading receiver, he’s totaled 586 yards on 34 catches with nine touchdowns and is averaging 98.5 all-purpose yards per game.

Habakkuk Baldonado, DL: Pitt’s offense is complemented by a defense that ranks in the top 30 in the country, allowing 319.3 yards per game. Habakkuk Baldonado has helped the effort as a force on the Panthers’ defensive line with 19 tackles, 6 ½ for loss, 4 ½ sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

THREE CLEMSON TIGERS TO WATCH

Davis Allen, TE: Despite a few drops, Davis Allen made catches at crucial times during the Tigers’ game against the Orange and had a career-high eight catches for 49 yards. With the Tigers still working on their offense, incorporating Allen in the pass game will be important.

James Skalski, LB: Clemson’s defense is the team’s high point and James Skalski is the backbone of it all. The sixth-year senior continues to lead the group both verbally and statistically with 41 tackles and three pass breakups on the year heading into Saturday’s contest against Pitt.

Mario Goodrich, CB: Andrew Booth was out against Syracuse with a hamstring injury. If he can’t go again, Mario Goodrich will have to lead a thin secondary against Pitt’s pass-heavy offense. Against Syracuse, Goodrich had three tackles and four pass breakups.

Clemson depth chart

(as appears in game notes)

Offense:

QB: D.J. Uiagalelei (Taisun Phommachanh)

RB: Kobe Pace (Phil Mafah)

WR: Justyn Ross (Beaux Collins)

WR: Joseph Ngata (Ajou Ajou)

WR: E.J. Williams or Frank Ladson (Will Brown)

TE: Davis Allen (Braden Galloway)

LT: Jordan McFadden (Marcus Tate)

LG: Paul Tchio or Marcus Tate

C: Matt Bockhorst or Mason Trotter (Trent Howard)

RG: Will Putnam or Matt Bockhorst (Mason Trotter)

RT: Walker Parks (Mitchell Mayes)

Defense:

DE: Myles Murphy or K.J. Henry or Xavier Thomas

DT: Ruke Orhorhoro (Payton Page)

DT: Tre Williams (Darnell Jefferies)

DE: Justin Foster or Justin Mascoll or Xavier Thomas

SLB: Trenton Simpson or Malcolm Greene (Tyler Venables or Barrett Carter)

MLB: James Skalski (Jake Venables or Kane Patterson)

WLB: Baylon Spector (LaVonta Bentley)

CB: Mario Goodrich (Fred Davis or Nate Wiggins)

SS: Andrew Mukuba (R.J. Mickens)

FS: Nolan Turner (Jalyn Phillips or Joseph Charleston)

CB: Andrew Booth (Sheridan Jones)

Special Teams:

PK: B.T. Potter (Jonathan Weitz)

P: Will Spiers (Aidan Swanson)

KO: B.T. Potter (Aidan Swanson)

LS (PK, P): Jack Maddox (Holden Caspersen)

H: Will Swinney (Drew Swinney)

PR: Will Brown or Justyn Ross

KOR: Kobe Pace