CLEMSON — Clemson football looks to finish ACC play with a 7-1 record.

The No. 16 Tigers (7-2, 6-1 ACC), who are ranked No. 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings, face Pittsburgh (7-2, 3-2) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) at Acrisure Stadium. Clemson must win this game to not only have a shot to make the conference championship but to improve its chances at landing an at-large bid in the CFP.

Here is what to know about the matchup:

Can Cade Klubnik, Clemson football offense get off to a fast start?

In their past two games, the Tigers have scored seven points in the first half and committed a turnover and three penalties. These slow starts have forced them to attempt second-half rallies with one being unsuccessful vs. Louisville and another working against Virginia Tech.

For Clemson to get back on track, it needs quarterback Cade Klubnik to be better early. In his past two games, He is 24-for-44 (54.5%) for 168 yards passing, one touchdown and one interception and has been sacked three times in the first half. He must improve his decision making, urgency and accuracy to get Clemson back to its early scoring ways.

The Tigers can lean on running back Phil Mafah too, who is on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing season. He has thrived in his final season and will be needed against Pitt's stingy run defense.

What to know about Pitt football, QB Eli Holstein's injury status

Pitt started the season 7-0 but suffered losses to No. 13 SMU and Virginia. Like Clemson, it has a slim chance to make the ACC championship and needs to win out and get help from other teams to make it.

The Panthers are led by quarterback Eli Holstein, who suffered an injury in last week's game against Virginia. Holstein has 2,174 yards passing for 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. If he is out, third-year quarterback Nate Yarnell will take his place.

Pitt running back Desmond Reid is second in the ACC in all-purpose yards (1,245) and has nine total touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is one of the best teams against the run, allowing 109.8 yards per game, 19th in FBS. It gives up 25.1 points per game, the eighth most in the ACC, and 361.4 yards per game, eighth fewest in the conference.

MORE: Who Clemson fans should cheer for to help Tigers win ACC football tiebreakers after Miami loss

Clemson football looks to go undefeated in road games in 2024 season

Clemson looks to go undefeated in road games for the 10th time. The last time the Tigers achieved this feat was in 2019. They have won all of their road games four times (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019) under Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

The Tigers are 44-25-2 in the final ACC regular-season game since the ACC's creation in 1953. They have won a school-record nine straight ACC regular-season finales. Swinney also looks to win his first game at Acrisure Stadium, home of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Clemson's history vs Pittsburgh

Pitt is 3-2 all-time against Clemson, winning the last matchup 27-17 in 2021. These teams first met in 1977, and the Panthers won 34-3 in the Gator Bowl. The last time Clemson defeated Pitt was in 2020, winning 52-19.

Clemson score prediction vs Pitt

Clemson 30, Pittsburgh 21: The Panthers have been on a free fall since losing to SMU two weeks ago and will suffer another defeat Saturday. Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik will exit his slump to lift Clemson offensively, and their defense will back him by generating a key turnover to escape Pittsburgh with a win and keep its CFP hopes alive.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson-Pitt score prediction: Can Tigers finish 7-1 in ACC play?