ESPN expert predicts final score of Clemson-Tennessee bowl game

ESPN college football writer Adam Rittenberg predicted the final score of Clemson’s Orange Bowl matchup a

gainst Tennessee.

With a 39-10 win over North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game, Clemson clinched a berth in the Orange Bowl. In the College Football Playoff era, this will be the 1st time Clemson is playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game that is not a Playoff game. For this season, the Orange Bowl is out of the Playoff rotation, but remained in the New Year’s Six bowl rotation.

In his prediction, Rittenberg had Clemson winning by 11 points, 4

2-31. He gave a preview of the matchup:

“Hard Rock Stadium will be extremely orange for this one, as Tennessee makes its first New Year’s Six bowl appearance in the CFP era. Both teams have had quarterback changes, one because of injury (Tennessee’s Joe Milton replacing Hendon Hooker) and the other because of performance (Clemson’s Cade Klubnik replacing D.J. Uiagalelei). Clemson doesn’t have opt-outs for bowls, and the Tigers should benefit from having Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee and others against a Vols offense that, even without Hooker, packs a punch. The Tigers also can start to build behind dynamic young quarterback Klubnik.”

Rittenberg mentioned how quarterback Cade Klubnik will be Clemson’s quarterback moving forward. On Sunday, DJ Uiagalelei was reportedly expected to enter the transfer portal.

Klubnik will be Clemson’s starter for this game. Tennessee will look to get a win without injured quarterback Hendon Hooker.

The Orange Bowl is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. ET.