Clemson football vs. Pitt: Kickoff time, TV channel, injury report, score
The Clemson football team is on the road one last time.
Here’s your gameday guide for the No. 20 Tigers’ trip to Pittsburgh to play ACC opponent Pitt in their final conference game of the year and third to last game of the regular season ... with some ACC championship hopes on the line.
Clemson vs. Pittsburgh game, TV info
- Who: No. 20 Clemson (7-2, 6-1 ACC) at Pitt (7-2, 3-2 ACC)
- When: noon Saturday
- Where: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
- TV: ESPN
- Broadcast crew: Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath
- Stream: Via ESPN or the ESPN app
- Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)
- Satellite radio: Sirius XM Channel 81
- Series history: Pitt leads 3-2 and won the last meeting in 2021
Clemson vs. Pitt Vegas odds
Clemson is an 11.5-point road favorite at Pitt, according to the VegasInsider.com consensus betting line. That point spread has ticked up a bit after opening at Clemson -9.5 on Sunday, per the website, and no major sportsbook has a line closer than Clemson -11.5 as of early Saturday.
This is a significant jump up from the previous week, when Clemson (coming off a bad loss) was favored by just 5.5 points at Virginia Tech. The Tigers ultimately won that game by 10 (24-14).
Weather forecast for Pittsburgh, PA
It’ll be brisk in Pittsburgh – but, as forecasts currently stand, free of rain.
The Weather.com 10-day forecast offers this: Cloudy with a high of 56 degrees and light winds, with temperatures dropping to 37 degrees overnight after the conclusion of Saturday’s noon game. There is only a 9% chance of rain in the area.
Top storylines for the game
Clemson moved up three spots to No. 20 in Tuesday’s updated College Football Playoff rankings. The Tigers would be all but eliminated from the ACC championship game — and a chance at a CFP automatic bid — if they lose on Saturday. Clemson lost control of its own destiny in the conference after a deflating loss to Louisville two weeks ago. Since the Cardinals are a common opponent among the top three teams in the ACC standings right now (SMU, Clemson and Miami), the Tigers’ chances of getting Charlotte are, understandably, not great. The most feasible outcome: Clemson beats Pittsburgh to finish ACC play at 7-1 and then sits back and hopes that SMU loses two of its last three ACC games or Miami loses one of its last two conference games.
On the injury front, the Tigers will get back star defensive end Peter Woods this week, coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday. Woods suffered an undisclosed injury against Louisville and didn’t travel for last week’s Virginia Tech game. His return is critical, especially when you consider starting defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart has already been ruled out for this week. The Tigers won’t have rotational defensive back Shelton Lewis available either, and wide receiver Tyler Brown isn’t expected to travel.
Pittsburgh is dealing with its own injury issues — specifically, at the game’s most important position. Coach Pat Narduzzi said Thursday that starting quarterback Eli Holstein has not been cleared for the Clemson game after suffering a head injury last week vs. Virginia. If Holstein, an Alabama transfer who’s considered a game-time decision, cannot play, the Panthers would start backup quarterback Nate Yarnell.
Clemson allowed a season-high four sacks last week at Virginia Tech after allowing no more than two in any of its previous eight games (and just eight total). That presents a decent opportunity for the Panthers defense to get after starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. Pitt enters the game ranked fifth nationally in both sacks per game (3.3) and tackles for loss (8.1). The Panthers are also first in the ACC and second nationally in defensive touchdowns with four of them in nine games.
Clemson vs. Pitt players to watch
Clemson OL Elyjah Thurmon: The true freshman stepped in for an injured Tristan Leigh and performed admirably, playing 74 snaps in a hostile road environment at VT. He could be called on to start again if Leigh (ankle) can’t go.
Clemson DE T.J. Parker: With Woods back, Parker won’t see as much attention as he did last game and could make some impact plays. The star sophomore leads the team with three forced fumbles this year and has five sacks.
Pitt RB Desmond Reid: The 5-foot-8 transfer from FCS Western Carolina averages 155.6 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks fifth nationally.
Pitt LB Kyle Louis: A versatile defender who plays a hybrid safety/linebacker position sort of like former Clemson star Isaiah Simmons, Louis is the first Panthers linebacker with four interceptions in a season since 2004.
Clemson football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31: vs. Georgia in Atlanta, L 34-3
Sept. 7: vs. App State, W 66-20
Sept. 14: OPEN
Sept. 21: vs. NC State, W 59-35
Sept. 28: vs. Stanford, W 40-14
Oct. 5: at Florida State, W 29-16
Oct. 12: at Wake Forest, W 49-14
Oct. 19: vs. Virginia, W 48-31
Oct. 26: OPEN
Nov. 2: vs. Louisville, L 31-22
Nov. 9: at Virginia Tech, W 24-14
Nov. 16: at Pitt, noon (ESPN)
Nov. 23: vs. The Citadel, 3:30 p.m. (The CW)
Nov. 30: vs. South Carolina
Clemson football 2024 depth chart
As of Nov. 11
Offense
QB: Cade Klubnik (Christopher Vizzina)
RB: Phil Mafah (Jay Haynes OR Keith Adams Jr.)
Outside WR: Antonio Williams OR T.J. Moore (Cole Turner)
Slot WR: Tyler Brown OR Troy Stellato (Misun Kelley)
Outside WR: Bryant Wesco Jr. OR Adam Randall (Cole Turner)
TE: Jake Briningstool (Olsen Patt-Henry)
LT: Tristan Leigh (Elyjah Thurmon)
LG: Marcus Tate (Trent Howard)
C: Ryan Linthicum (Harris Sewell)
RG: Walker Parks (Trent Howard)
RT: Blake Miller (Elyjah Thurmon)
Defense
DE: Peter Woods (Jaheim Lawson)
DT: Payton Page (Vic Burley)
DT: Tré Williams (Stephiylan Green)
DE: T.J. Parker (Cade Denhoff)
Strongside LB: Wade Woodaz (Jamal Anderson)
Middle LB: Wade Woodaz (Sammy Brown OR Dee Crayton)
Weakside LB: Barrett Carter (Sammy Brown OR Dee Crayton)
CB: Avieon Terrell (Ashton Hampton)
SS: Kylon Griffin OR Tyler Venables (Ricardo Jones)
FS: R.J. Mickens (Tyler Venables)
Nickelback: Khalil Barnes (Sherrod Covil Jr.)
CB: Jeadyn Lukus (Ashton Hampton)
Special teams
PK: Nolan Hauser (Robert Gunn III)
P: Aidan Swanson (Jack Smith)
KO: Robert Gunn III
LS (PK): Holden Caspersen
LS (P): Philip Florenzo
H: Clay Swinney
PR: Antonio Williams
KOR: Jay Haynes (Phil Mafah)
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
