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Clemson

JD PicKell predicts winner of ACC divisions, championship game

Alex Weberby: Alex Weber08/15/22Alexhweber

The ACC finally saw some new blood in the conference championship. Clemson was an absentee from the title game for the first time in forever as the Tigers stumbled their way through a down year by program standards. However, On3’s JD PicKell foresees a big rebound for Dabo Swinney’s club.

Over on the On3 YouTube channel, PicKell broke down the ACC title race and picked his divisional winners as well as who he thinks will take home the ACC crown come December. You can watch him make his picks in the video right here or read what he had to say in full about Clemson and the other ACC contenders down below.

JD PicKell predicts ACC title game and champion

“I have Miami coming out of the Coastal. I think the Mario Cristobal experiment works in year one. Not so much experiment. I think the Mario Cristobal effort pays dividends in year one. Not unlike it will in Oklahoma. And I think that this team takes on his persona, takes on his edge that we haven’t seen Miami have in a while. I think Tyler Van Dyke continues to progress and shows a lot of people why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Makes a statement in 2022. So I like Tyler Van Dyke and Miami to make it to the championship game.

“I think Clemson comes out of the Atlantic. That’s probably not a surprise to you. However, I think Clemson wins the ACC because that front seven is ridiculous. Like, to put it simply: they’re ridiculous. Full of transformers, power rangers and boogeymen. That’s who they have in the front seven.

“Now if they get just marginally better production from the quarterback spot — I’m not even saying it has to be DJ Uiagalelei. If you watch this show you know I feel good about him to a degree. Based on what Dabo Swinney has said. You know, I feel okay about DJ. But even if it’s not DJ, if they just get a little bit better, it could be Hunter Johnson for all I care, it could be Cade Klubnik. If they get someone who is capable of having a decent level of production at quarterback, I mean, the the bus will drive itself folks. The defense is that good. So I think Clemson ultimately wins the ACC.”