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Clemson vs. Furman fearless prediction and game preview.

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 1
Game Time: 12:20 pm ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Network: ACC Network

– 2018 CFN Preview | Clemson Preview

Clemson (0-0) vs. Furman (0-0) Game Preview

This is a strong Furman team coming off a solid 8-5 season and with the promise of a good season to come. It’s a veteran team with a good-looking defense, balanced offense, and the pieces to be a serious challenger for the Southern Conference title.

But first, the Paladins get to enjoy being destroyed by Clemson.

Furman is good enough to be more than just a speed-bump, but with a trip to Texas A&M coming up next for the Tigers, this game is about shaking off the rust, keeping everyone healthy, and seeing what – potentially – star freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence can do in live action.

This is the 56th meeting between the two teams with Clemson last winning 41-7 in 2012. The last time in the series that Furman didn’t lose? A 0-0 tie to end the 1937 season. The last Paladin win was 1936.

One Reason Why Furman Will Win

Can the Furman defensive experience keep this from getting out of hand in the first quarter? Nine starters are back from a defense that was okay at times last year and should be good against the run.

However, it’s the offense that made 2017 fun, with one of the best passing attacks in all of FCS. The Paladins will be more than happy to start throwing and keep bombing away, with a big play attack that’s expected to push the ball deep. Three starters are back to one of the FCS’s best lines, especially in pass protection, but …

One Reason Why Clemson Will Win

This will be a nice day out for the Clemson fans.

The Tiger defensive line will be to dominate right away and go rest up in the second half, crushing a Furman offense that’s breaking in a whole slew of new parts to the passing game. The air support won’t be there in a desperate attempt to keep up the pace.

Clemson is outstanding at using its FCS games to put up big numbers and getting all of the parts into the mix, and this game should be no exception.

The pass rush won’t be there from the Furman defensive front, giving the Tiger quarterbacks good live action to take all the time they need to show off what they can do.

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What’s Going To Happen

Furman will go on a stunningly good early drive for a 3-0 lead, and then the steamroller will come.

Clemson will get a chance to work on the depth chart a bit as everyone gets a turn to show off. The game will get out of hand in the late second quarter, and the third and fourth-stringers will get their moment through the fourth.