BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Maybe Deshaun Watson wasn't lying.

When the most loved/dangerous/known offensive force in Clemson history tweeted during the Louisville win a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like an innocent enough compliment.

Never mind being better that Watson. For now, it looks like successor Kelly Bryant isn't going to screw it up. That being what is shaping up to be another epic Clemson season.

We mention this only because Bryant was supposed to be the reason the Tigers weren't going to win it all again.

After a 31-17 win over Virginia Tech, he's more than just the subject of Watson's compliment. For one, he more than complements a ravenous defense.

"He's not a freshman, he's not a new player," said coach Dabo Swinney after his team's third win over a top-15 team this month. "He's been in these environments. He's watched Desahun. He's had a front row seat for Deshaun the last few years."

What a tutorial. That experience has been good enough so far to help the Tigers win their 10th consecutive game. 

That's an asterisk for a team that looks just as good as last year's national champions because of a swarming defense and Bryant's ability. The junior was the best offensive player on the field Saturday night throwing for 186 yards and running for 94 more.

"He was the difference in the football game," said Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

There were drops and overthrows, but again, through five games Bryant isn't screwing it up. He's making a difference, largely without turnovers. In the third quarter, he turned a 15-yard sack into a 1-yard gain inside the 5.

You could almost see the Hokies wilt as the lead increased to 24-3 just two plays later.

"Just reacting," Bryant said. "Whenever I think about doing stuff, I'm slow; I'm not as quick as I want to be."

Swinney weighed in: "It was a shovel [pass]. We kind of had a tight end coming underneath. I guess he didn't feel good about the shovel. You're pretty much dead in the water at that point. I was hoping he'd just throw it away, but he decided to run for 50 yards in a box …

"That's one of those plays in the game they'll look back and say, 'We had him.'"

We'll never forget Watson. But is it sacrilege to compare Bryant to the Clemson great not even nine months after that College Football Playoff National Championship?

For large swatches during the Tigers' wipeout of the Hokies, there was a man impersonating perhaps the most powerful offensive figure in the program's history.

We mention this because Bryant had thrown 18 career passes entering this season and -- again -- was supposed to be the reason the Tigers weren't going to defend their title.

OK, sure, it's easy to play with a defense that makes napalm look like a refreshing breeze. Even if Bryant wasn't so dynamic, the defense might be able to lug this team to an ACC title.

With Bryant that's assumed, isn't it?

With this defense that posted two sacks and eight tackles for loss, it's a wonder they don't overrun plays. Linebacker Dorian O'Daniel took back his second pick six of the season with a ball that popped off a Hokie receiver's hands.

The play they'll be talking about from here to the national awards show is defense end Austin Bryant's second-half interception.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior perfectly timed a screen pass from Josh Jackson, seemingly snagging the ball with one hand before he fell to the ground.

"What a play," gushed defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "I'll say this, I'd be lying if I said we worked on that one."

On a different play, Bryant actually split out and lined up on a receiver, again blowing up one of Jackson's passes.

The group you remember as a top 10 defense last year came into the game top three already in 2017 after lighting up Auburn and Louisville.

It is believed that Clemson's three wins over top-15 opponents from the AP Top 25 poll marks the first time that has been accomplished all in the month of September.

"The defense likes every single thing about the grind," Venables said. "That's not the norm. A lot of guys like game day, but a lot of guys don't like to grind, prepare."

These guys shine under the bright lights. Swinney kidded ACC commissioner John Swofford for scheduling so many nights games -- "he's probably sleeping right now" -- but that's what happens to marquee teams.

Swinney added: "Defensively, man, we were relentless. We've got a long way to go. That defense last year played 15 games. Five games don't make a season, not unless they're going to cancel October, November."

Coming into the game, only Oregon had averaged at least 235 yards rushing and passing. Coming out of the game, Bryant and the Tigers are more confident than ever.

Bryan has the same "fall forward" as Watson, never seeming to go down after the first hit. After running or passing on 40 of Clemson's 64 plays, it's clear the trust is there.

Bryant is a couple of inches taller and about 20 pounds heavier than Watson.

"If you're a good player, you're a good player anywhere," Swinney said.

Virginia Tech was hoping it had made progress since a seven-point loss in last year's ACC title game. It didn't. If there is a rematch this season, it will be anti-climatic.

For the last three weeks, Alabama and Clemson have been throwing punches across the country at one another while fighting for the No. 1 ranking.

Alabama has kept that crown, but does it matter?

Deshaun Watson wasn't lying.