Clemson football plays The Citadel today: Kickoff time, TV channel, score
It’s Senior Day for the Clemson football team.
Here’s your gameday guide for the Tigers’ home game against FCS opponent The Citadel before a huge rivalry game with South Carolina next week.
Clemson vs. The Citadel game, TV info
- Who: No. 17 Clemson (8-2, 7-1 ACC) vs. The Citadel (5-6, 3-5 SoCon)
- When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson
- TV: The CW
- Broadcast crew: Thom Brennaman, Max Browne, Treavor Scales
- Stream: Via The CW Sports
- Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)
- Satellite radio: SiriusXM Channel 137 or 193
- Series history: Clemson leads 33-5-1 and has won 18 straight
Clemson vs. The Citadel Vegas odds
Most major sportsbooks don’t offer betting lines on games between power conference and FCS football programs, since those scores are historically quite lopsided (with the exception of some memorable upsets).
Among sportsbooks that are offering a point spread for this weekend: Clemson is favored by anywhere from 48.5 to 49.5 points against The Citadel.
How to watch Clemson on The CW
If you have a traditional cable TV setup through DIRECTV, DISH Network, Spectrum or another provider, you can simply plug your ZIP code into The CW’s online channel finder and find where the game’s being televised in your area.
The game will also be available through the streaming apps for those cable providers, such as the DIRECTV app, but would require a subscriber log-in.
The CW is also generally available on popular cable-free streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV and fuboTV, which all require subscriptions.
Some of those services do offer free trials, though.
Weather forecast for Clemson, SC
Sunny with a high of 61 degrees and light winds. The sun will set at 5:21 p.m., roughly halfway through Saturday’s afternoon game, and temperatures will eventually drop to 35 overnight, according to the Weather.com 10-day forecast.
Top storylines for the game
Clemson players have said all the right things this week, but there’s a reason most fans are skipping right over Saturday’s game and looking ahead to next weekend’s Palmetto Bowl showdown with rival No. 19 USC. Clemson is 38-0 against FCS teams since the division was created in 1978, and the Tigers have won 37 of those 38 games by double digits. Their average margin of victory since 1978: 35.5 points. On that note: The Citadel does lead the SoCon with nine wins against FBS schools since the division split, including wins over power conference opponents Georgia Tech (2019), South Carolina (2015 and 1990) and Arkansas (1992).
There’s an ACC championship clinching scenario for Clemson on Saturday that has nothing to do with the Tigers’ result against The Citadel. Miami hosts Wake Forest at noon on Saturday. The Hurricanes (5-1 ACC) are a huge betting favorite, but if they get upset at home Clemson (7-1 ACC) would clinch a spot in the Dec. 7 conference title game in Charlotte. If Miami wins, though, Clemson’s hopes aren’t totally dashed. The Tigers could still clinch if SMU finishes 0-2 or Miami loses at Syracuse next week. The Orange (7-3, 4-3) are fifth in the ACC standings.
Clemson’s injury situation on the offensive line will be worth monitoring. Coach Dabo Swinney said this week that between short-term and long-term injuries the Tigers were down nine offensive linemen in Tuesday’s practice. Starting left tackle Tristan Leigh and left guard Marcus Tate are day to day against The Citadel, per Swinney. Clemson had to shuffle its line dramatically last week after those two didn’t travel and another key lineman, true freshman Elyjah Thurmon, was injured on the first snap vs. Pitt. On the defensive side, starting linebacker Wade Woodaz and free safety R.J. Mickens are both questionable.
A game against an FCS team should, in theory, give Clemson an opportunity to play some of its younger guys — including true freshmen who are redshirting but now have a “green light” for participation. Players can appear in up to four regular season games while maintaining a redshirt. On offense, key an eye out for freshman running back David Eziomume and tight end Christian Bentancur. Defensive players to watch include 6-foot-7 edge rusher Darien Mayo and cornerback Corian Gipson.
Clemson vs. The Citadel players to watch
Clemson WR Misun Kelley: Between Tyler Brown and Troy Stellato, Clemson is now down its top two slot receivers. Kelley, an explosive in-state player who was recruited as an athlete and also plays DB, could see a handful of targets.
Clemson LB Dee Crayton: The redshirt freshman stepped up in a big way last week after Sammy Brown’s targeting ejection. Increased snaps could keep him on a positive trajectory heading into next year.
The Citadel QB Johnathan Bennett: An SC native and Liberty transfer, Bennett leads the Bulldogs with 503 rushing yards. As a passer, he has seven touchdowns against seven interceptions and averages 145.8 yards per game.
The Citadel WR Dervon Pesnell: Another in-state standout, Pesnell leads the team with 443 receiving yards and is 11th in the FBS in yards per catch (18.5).
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, W 24-20
Nov. 23: vs. The Citadel, 3:30 p.m. (The CW)
Nov. 30: vs. South Carolina, noon (ESPN)
Clemson football 2024 depth chart
As of Nov. 18
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 (Mason Wade)
LG: Marcus Tate (Trent Howard)
C: Ryan Linthicum (Harris Sewell)
RG: Walker Parks (Trent Howard)
RT: Blake Miller (Mason Wade)
Defense
DE: Jahiem Lawson (A.J. Hoffler)
DT: Payton Page (Vic Burley)
DT: Peter Woods (Tré Williams)
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 OR Ashton Hampton (Branden Strozier)
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 22, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
