Tennessee
Clemson vs Tennessee: ACC Pick of the Day
Within the premier ACC bowl of the postseason, convention champion No. 10 Clemson is ready to tackle No. 6 Tennessee within the Orange Bowl.
Gameday Data
Kickoff: 8pm ET
TV: ESPN
Unfold: Clemson -6 (-110), Tennessee +6 (-110)
Complete: 63.5
READ: Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman enters the switch portal
Clemson Staff Preview
For the second-straight season, the Tigers (11-2) missed out on the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however returned to their earlier success with an ACC Championship victory. Each of the group’s losses got here out of convention — the Tigers misplaced to Notre Dame by 21 in early November and suffered a heartbreaking one-point defeat in opposition to in-state rival South Carolina to finish the common season.
Clemson’s struggles revolved round a quarterback controversy between mainstay DJ Uiagalelei and newcomer Cade Klubnik. In 13 video games this season, Uiagalelei handed for two,521 yards (sixtieth within the nation), 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Early within the season, Clemson prevailed in shut video games due to Uiagalelei’s prolific play. The junior threw 5 touchdowns in an extra time victory over Wake Forest, then mixed for 3 scores and no interceptions in a 10-point win over then No. 10 NC State. Later, in a one-score victory in opposition to Florida State, Uiagalelei tossed three touchdowns.
However, down the stretch, Uiagalelei started to falter, throwing pricey interceptions and sub-32 QBRs in each losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina. Then, he solely threw 5 passes within the ACC Championship earlier than getting benched for Klubnik.
With the freshman taking up, Clemson rallied and crushed the Tar Heels 39-10 in Charlotte. Klubnik accomplished 20 of his 24 passes for 279 yards and a landing, additionally including a rating on the bottom. With Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State, Klubnik will get his first begin with the Tigers in opposition to Tennessee.
The remainder of the Clemson offense is headlined by their star working again, Will Shipley. The sophomore rushed for 1,110 yards on 193 carries (5.8 ypc) for the Tigers this season, additionally reaching the tip zone 15 instances. Shipley is a risk within the passing sport as nicely — he’s third on the group with 34 receptions.
Although the receiving room will likely be with out Beaux Collins, who accounted for 5 touchdowns, Antonio Williams (53 rec, 563 yards, 4 tds) and Joseph Ngata (33 rec, 442 yards, 2 tds) ought to be capable of deal with the receiving duties nicely. Tight finish Davis Allen, with a tied-team-high 5 touchdowns, is one other participant to regulate within the passing sport.
On protection, the Tigers will likely be with out a number of key items. Linebacker Trenton Simpson, who was second-best on the group with 77 tackles, opted out of the sport. Edge rusher Myles Murphy, who tied a team-high with 6.5 sacks, additionally opted out. LB Vonta Bentley, who performed in all 13 video games, has entered the switch portal, and Xavier Thomas doubtless received’t play on account of harm.
READ: Wake Forest finishes season sturdy, defeats Missouri in Gasparilla Bowl
Clemson will likely be buoyed by their elite particular groups unit. Punter Aidan Swanson pinned 16 punts contained in the 20, and had 13 journey over 50 yards. B.T. Potter transformed on 85.7% of his area aim kicks and hit all 11 from contained in the 40. He related on a season-long kick of 52 yards, as soon as in opposition to Wake Forest and a second time within the ACC Championship.
Tennessee Staff Preview
Of their greatest season in over a decade, Tennessee shocked the nation by taking down Alabama in late October and reaching the No. 1 spot within the first Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings. However, after a loss at Georgia and a disappointing defeat to South Carolina, the Volunteers had been held out of the CFP and enter the Orange Bowl because the No. 6 group within the nation.
This season, the Volunteers had been led by two gamers who had a possible declare to the Heisman Trophy. Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who completed fifth within the voting, accomplished 69.6% of his passes for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns, whereas solely tossing two interceptions.
Hooker’s major receiver, Jalin Hyatt, caught 67 of his passes for 1,267 yards and 15 scores. Within the win over the Crimson Tide, 5 of Hyatt’s six receptions went for touchdowns.
On the bottom, Tennessee was led by a one-two punch of Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. The 2 backs mixed for 1,482 yards and 22 touchdowns on 279 rushes (5.3 ypc).
Defensively, the Volunteers are led by linebacker Aaron Beasley with 64 tackles and 9 TFLs. DL Byron Younger led the best way with 5 sacks and 10 TFLs, and fellow LB Roman Harrison added three sacks. Trevon Flowers (two INTs), Jaylen McCollough and Tamarion McDonald (six PBUs) make for a strong trio within the secondary.
Kicker Chase McGrath highlights the particular groups room — he hit the game-winning kick in opposition to Alabama, but in addition missed one try from inside 40 yards this season. Connecting on 79% of his kicks, McGrath’s season-long is 51 yards.
READ: Wake Forest Soccer – Switch Portal Tracker
Like Clemson, Tennessee is closely impacted by gamers that won’t be out there for the Orange Bowl. Hooker is out with a torn ACL, so Michigan switch Joe Milton will lead the Volunteers at quarterback. Milton is skilled, although — this season, he performed in eight video games, finishing 34 passes for 720 yards and 7 touchdowns.
However, Tennessee may also be with out their prime two receivers. Hyatt has already declared for the NFL Draft, as has Cedric Tillman (37 rec, 417 yards, three TDs).
Prediction
The results of this sport will doubtless come right down to the play of both group’s quarterback. Milton is extra skilled, however Klubnik has the talents and aptitude to place collectively a implausible efficiency. Milton has the advantage of Clemson lacking the meat of their move rush, however one of the best huge receiver within the nation — Hyatt — received’t be there for him as a security valve.
If Klubnik can play like he did in opposition to North Carolina — making the proper throws and avoiding errors — then Clemson ought to be capable of win this sport. Till the freshman offers me a purpose to doubt him, I’m going to stay with him in an in depth win.
Clemson 27, Tennessee 24
Observe @DeaconsDaily on Twitter and Instagram for extra Wake Forest content material
Tennessee
New Tennessee law requires sexual assault and trafficking training for servers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Starting in 2025, bartenders and servers in Tennessee will be required to take part in trainings with the goal to make everybody feel safe while out on the town.
“Requirement for these server permits to holders to be trained in understanding the role of alcohol and sexual assault and harassment and recognizing the role of drugs and assault and strategies that can hopefully help prevent patron drugging and establishments,” Russell Thomas, the Executive Director of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission said.
The trainings will teach servers what signs to look out for, as well as what they need to do whenever they notice something that doesn’t look right.
“To identify people that might be in distress or how to deal with conflict resolution as far as customers being inside your establishment and needing some assistance to feel safe,” Yee-Haw Brewery General Manager Charles Ellis said.
Places such as Yee-Haw Brewery have a safe bar initiative. This means they train their staff to look out for those signs and have measures in place for anybody who feels unsafe at the bar.
“All of our staff has been trained on how to spot somebody in need of assistance,” Ellis said. “If there seems kind of fishy, or if they need some help with some domestic issues, we’re trained to be able to help them out.”
One of the big changes this year will be the length of how long one can hold a serving license. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission says instead of every five years, they will need to renew every two years.
“By increasing the frequency of training that would increase the focus on preventing some of these things from occurring,” Thomas said.
Copyright 2024 WVLT. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Analyst Sends Titans Sam Darnold Warning
The Tennessee Titans are going to need to make a quarterback move this offseason. It’s clear that Will Levis is not ready to be a starter and Mason Rudolph isn’t a starting caliber quarterback either.
With that being said, many have been urging the Titans to make a move for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold has put together a massive season so far with the Vikings and has led the team to a 13-2 record entering Week 17 action. He has looked the part of a legitimate star so far this year.
Even though the numbers look great, one writer thinks that Tennessee should stay away from Darnold.
Sam Phalen of AtoZ Sports has warned the Titans to avoid Darnold “at all costs” this offseason.
“You could probably make compelling arguments for or against all of the quarterbacks on the market. But for me, there’s one option the Titans need to avoid at all costs: Paying Sam Darnold franchise quarterback money in free agency,” Phalen wrote.
His warning makes a lot of sense. Darnold has looked nothing close to being this kind of player with any of the other teams he has played with. He could very well be experiencing a big blowup due to the offense he is in and the weapons he is playing with.
So far this season in 15 games, Darnold has completed 67.2 percent of his pass attempts for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has also picked up 205 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
At just 27 years old, he is still young enough to end up being a franchise quarterback for a team if he keeps playing the way he has shown so far this year with Minnesota.
However, the truth of the matter is that Tennessee does not have a Justin Jefferson for him to throw to. Brian Callahan is a good offensive mind, the Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system fits Darnold perfectly.
There is a very good chance that he could end up falling flat immediately after leaving the Vikings.
That being said, the Titans simply cannot afford to miss on their next quarterback move. Another mistake at the position could lead to yet another all-out rebuild.
Expect to continue hearing Tennessee get linked as a fit for Darnold. Phalen certainly doesn’t think they should pay him big money, but the Titans could feel different.
It’s going to be very interesting to see what the upcoming offseason has in store for Tennessee.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Tennessee
SEC transfer defender sets visit to Florida State
Tennessee transfer defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins set a visit to Florida State, his agents at A&P Sports Agency told CBS Sports. He will head to Tallahassee on Jan. 2.
Jenkins officially entered the transfer portal Thursday after announcing his plans to do so earlier this week. He spent three years with the Volunteers and appeared in all 13 games this past season before hitting the open market.
Jenkins totaled nine tackles in 2024, including four tackles for loss and a sack. That came after six appearances in 2023 with four total tackles as a sophomore. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Jayson Jenkins played high school football at Trenton (N.J.) Notre Dame, where he was. three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,066 overall player and No. 22-ranked player in the state from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Florida State is once again active in the transfer market as it looks to rebound from a two-win season in 2024. The Seminoles currently have 10 commits from the portal so far this cycle, headlined by former USC wide receiver Duce Robinson – the No. 6 overall player and No. 5-ranked player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Robinson spent two years with the Trojans, totaling 747 yards and seven touchdowns during that time.
Another notable addition came at quarterback. Former Boston College is also on his way to Tallahassee, reuniting him with Gus Malzahn. The two were together at UCF in 2022, providing familiarity as Malzahn takes over as Florida State’s offensive coordinator.
Castellanos put together a standout 2023 season at Boston College, totaling 2,248 yards and 15 touchdowns in the air while adding 1,113 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. This past year, his numbers dropped following a coaching change and injuries. He threw for 1,366 yards along with a career-high 18 touchdowns in eight games.
FSU’s group of portal additions ranks No. 8, according to the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. It appears Mike Norvell and Co. aren’t quite done yet, though, as they line up more visits.
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