NC State will travel to Clemson, South Carolina in a highly awaited matchup against the Clemson Tigers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Both teams are undefeated in the 2018 season and the winner of this game has the inside track to winning the Atlantic division and the ACC Championship game. The game also holds College Football Playoff meaning as a loss for the Tigers would lessen their chance and an NC State loss would surely knock the Pack out of a longshot spot in the top-four teams.
That being said, the efficient Pack offense will face its most difficult challenge of the season. The Clemson defense has yet to allow 30 points in a game so far this year and has given up less than 10 points in three games this year.
Through the Air
Graduate quarterback Ryan Finley has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation in his final year in college football, ranking No. 5 in the nation in total QBR by ESPN. He is going up against a Tiger defense that gives up 261.2 yards per game, good for third best in the country.
The Pack rank sixth in the country with 335.4 passing yards per game, showing its explosiveness in that category. On the other side, Clemson also ranks sixth in passing yards given up at 152.8, creating a very interesting matchup.
With a number of receivers with different skill sets that NC State can put on the field, the Pack can create any matchup it wants against the Tiger secondary. Given that, Finley should be able to find the group led by junior Kelvin Harmon enough to put points on the board and keep the game close.
Like NC State, Clemson’s weak point on the defensive side is the secondary. Although the Tigers sixth in passing yards, the numbers are influenced by the pressure that Clemson has been able to get on the quarterback.
On the Ground
The running game struggled through the first half of the season as it was carried by Finley and the receivers to five straight wins. However, in the home game against Boston College, the Pack got plenty of production from freshman running back Ricky Person Jr. and senior running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. with 92 yards and 104 yards respectively.
Against a monstrous defensive line, the running game will likely see a drop in numbers forcing the passing game to carry the load again.
In the Trenches
In both aspects, the big matchup will be the Pack offensive line against the Clemson defensive line as both sides have NFL level talent.
Clemson is tied for seventh in the country with over three sacks per game, giving the Pack O-line its most challenging game of the year and possibly the last few years. Led by graduate center Garrett Bradbury, the offensive line has been outstanding this year, only allowing two sacks.
As long as NC State can protect Finley just enough for the receivers to find a weak spot in the defense, the offense should have success in keeping the game close on Saturday.
