After last year’s 56-41 game between NC State and Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium, there is little reason to suspect Saturday will be a low-scoring affair.
The No. 3 Tigers (6-0, 3-0 ACC) bring an offense loaded with star talent to the table. The Tigers’ passing attack should challenge NC State’s (4-1, 1-0 ACC) secondary and junior quarterback DeShaun Watson has the mobility to escape NC State’s pass rush.
NC State brings an electric running game to the table, led by senior running back Matt Dayes. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley has been a steady presence at quarterback, and has still yet to throw an interception this season.
With so much talent on one field, this matchup should be an exciting affair.
Quarterback
With all due respect to Finley, who has been solid this season for the Wolfpack, the Tigers bring the superior talent to the table. Watson is a supreme talent that is expected to be selected early in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Watson has accounted for 10 touchdowns against the Pack and has yet to throw an interception against the NC State defense. Watson has thrown for 18 touchdown passes this season and look for that number to increase after this weekend.
Finley has been solid in his own right, throwing for nine touchdowns this season (and his stats are skewed because of the rain-soaked Hurricane Matthew game) and most importantly not turning the ball over once this season. If the Wolfpack is to have any chance of winning on the road, Finley must continue to play well.
Advantage: Clemson
Running Back
Both teams bring explosive and talented runners into this contest. Dayes has led the Wolfpack offense all season and is likely to be the program’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 14 seasons. The Tigers counter with redshirt junior Wayne Gallman, a bruising back that has rushed for 475 yards and five touchdowns this season. Gallman was a First-Team All-ACC selection last season during Clemson’s run to the National Championship Game.
This is a close call but the advantage goes to Dayes, who may be the most underrated runner in the ACC. Dayes provides a receiving threat out of the backfield that Gallman can’t match.
Advantage: NC State
Wide Receiver
The Tigers have senior Mike Williams, a potential top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. Williams has 27 catches for 432 yards and three touchdowns this season and will be a matchup problem all day for the Wolfpack secondary. Junior Artavis Scott and sophomores Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud give the Tigers several talented options.
The Wolfpack receivers have been much improved this season, but they don’t have the talent or experience to match Clemson’s.
Advantage: Clemson
Tight End
The Wolfpack have jack-of-all-trades junior Jaylen Samuels. The Tigers have talented NFL Draft prospect Jordan Leggett, a 6-foot-5 senior. Both teams are oozing with talent at this position and in different ways. Leggett has 10 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns this season. Samuels has 21 catches for 191 yards and four touchdowns and has added 108 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Leggett might be the better NFL prospect at tight end, but Samuels is the better player right now in NC State’s offense.
Advantage: NC State
Offensive Line
The Tigers have allowed 21 sacks this season and have only one senior on the offensive line. The Wolfpack has allowed 16 sacks this season but has done a great job opening running lanes. The Wolfpack could hold the advantage if it can avoid penalties.
Advantage: NC State
Overall
The Tigers have too much firepower and defensive talent to expect anything but a win for Clemson this weekend. The Wolfpack played the Tigers tough last season, but won’t have the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium to help the team this time around. Look for the Tigers to pass their way past the Wolfpack for a win.
