Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers face Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday, Dec. 29, in the Gator Bowl as both teams look to end their seasons on a high note.
While I believe Clemson’s run game will be the focal point of the game plan, even against a stingy run defense like Kentucky’s, the clear offensive X-Factor for me for this Tigers’ offense is starting quarterback Cade Klubnik. If the Tigers want to end this season with a win, Klubnik will have to perform at a high level, but in a way, this goes much deeper than just that.
This is Klubnik’s last opportunity of the season to show this coaching staff and the fan base that he can be the guy under center for this program. There’s no denying that the Tigers’ offense didn’t perform as many expected, but I’d be lying if I said we didn’t see flashes of greatness from the sophomore quarterback. It’s not that I think his starting job is in jeopardy going into next season; it will just make a world of difference if we see this young man play at an incredibly high level and lead this team to a bowl win.
It’s not make or break for Klubnik, but games like this can dictate the direction a player is heading in their future. If Klubnik can strap it up one more time this season and ball, it would be a great morale boost for the program as a whole.