The energy in Atlanta is different when Clemson and Georgia Tech kick off ACC play. Both teams face pressure, but in totally different ways. For Clemson, every drive feels like a chance to reset after a bumpy start. The Tigers are searching for answers, while the Yellow Jackets see a rare opening to flip the ACC script in front of their home fans. Is this the game where Clemson gets right, or does Georgia Tech finally end its losing streak to the Tigers?
How Bad Is the Injury Bug Hitting Clemson?
Clemson did not expect its 2025 season to start this way. Dropping the opener to LSU, 17-10, felt brutal, especially since the Tigers had several late chances to tie or win the game. Then last week, the team found itself trailing 16-0 to Troy before storming back to take a 27-16 win and even up its record at 1-1.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech is rolling at 2-0 after wins over Colorado and Gardner-Webb. However, the Yellow Jackets still have not solved Clemson in almost a decade, dropping nine straight matchups.
Now, Clemson desperately needs a big performance to reignite its push for a College Football Playoff berth. However, Pete Thamel reports that several key starters will miss the contest against Georgia Tech.
“Clemson will be down three starters at Georgia Tech, as WR Antonio Williams, safety Khalil Barnes and left tackle Tristan Leigh are all listed out on ACC injury report,” Thamel posted. “All three entered today as questionable after missing the Troy game.”
Clemson will be down three starters at Georgia Tech, as WR Antonio Williams, safety Khalil Barnes and left tackle Tristan Leigh are all listed out on ACC injury report. All three entered today as questionable after missing the Troy game. pic.twitter.com/JCVVwUamyb
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 13, 2025
Losing Antonio Williams changes everything for Clemson’s passing attack. Williams is quarterback Cade Klubnik’s go-to receiver and was pegged as a preseason All-American for 2025. He led all Tiger receivers during the 2024 campaign with 75 catches, 904 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Being without his steady hands and the way he tracks the ball is going to sting for Clemson.
This will be Williams’ second straight absence after pulling his hamstring against LSU. That’s a tough break for an offense looking for consistency.
On top of that, Tristan Leigh is usually tasked with protecting Klubnik’s blind side up front. The former five-star recruit started all 12 games for Clemson last season, so seeing him in a walking boot with a lower leg injury puts pressure on the line. The Tigers will have to shuffle things in the trenches for this matchup.
Khalil Barnes is a huge part of the Tigers’ defense, contributing against both the pass and run. Barnes missed a big chunk of training camp rehabbing his own injury and got banged up again during the LSU game.
Injuries keep piling up for Clemson right now. The team has 15 players out on the injury report, making depth a real concern heading into this Saturday’s showdown with Georgia Tech.
