The NC State Wolfpack football team is riding high after a wet and sloppy 10-3 win over Notre Dame this past weekend. The win puts the Wolfpack at 4-1, a nice spot to be in considering how hard the schedule is about to get. The first real test of the ACC slate comes this Saturday, as the Wolfpack travels to Clemson, South Carolina to take on the undefeated Tigers.
The Tigers are a pristine 6-0, with wins over No. 7 Louisville and Auburn this season. The last time NC State played at Clemson Memorial Stadium was a day to forget, with the Tigers bludgeoning the Wolfpack 41-0 as a freshman quarterback by the name of DeShaun Watson scored four touchdowns to lead Clemson to a victory.
NC State will have to erase memories and beat the odds to come away with a victory this weekend against Clemson.
Defensive Line
The NC State defensive line was nasty against Notre Dame, taking advantage of the sloppy conditions to harass the Irish offense and redshirt sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer all day long. The Wolfpack piled up five sacks on the day, three from junior defensive end Bradley Chubb, who has had a great start to the season. The defensive line has been stout against the run all season, and has harassed opposing quarterbacks with consistency.
The Tigers have 56 tackles for loss and 21 sacks this season (NC State has 36 and 12 for comparison) and has been disruptive all season on defense. The defensive line is led by redshirt senior Carlos Watkins, who has three sacks this season. Most painful for NC State fans has to be the early returns the Tigers are getting from prized freshman Dexter Lawrence, who chose Clemson over NC State last signing day. Lawrence has made 38 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack this season.
Advantage: Clemson
Linebacker
The Wolfpack linebackers have been solid in run support all season and the rainy game against Notre Dame allowed them to showcase that. They have struggled in pass coverage and that theme should be a sticking point against Clemson. Look for the Tigers to try and create mismatches with faster and more athletic receivers and backs one-on-one with Wolfpack linebackers this weekend.
The Tigers have a star linebacker in senior Ben Boulware, who has 47 tackles and an interception this season. Redshirt sophomore Kendall Joseph leads the team in tackles with 55.
Advantage: Clemson
Secondary
The Wolfpack secondary got tested all day long against Kizer and the Irish offense, but the rain and wind of Hurricane Matthew made it nearly impossible to throw. The Tigers have Watson, who has blossomed into a top-tier NFL quarterback prospect. The secondary will likely have a tougher day against Clemson. Also, the amount of cushion given by junior corner Mike Stevens is unbelievable. Watson should be easily able to rack up yards and first downs just by throwing the ball at Stevens.
The Tigers have another corner who may get taken early in the NFL draft this year in senior Cordrea Tankersley. Tankersley has five pass break-ups and 25 tackles this season. Sophomore free safety Van Smith has been a tackling machine in the secondary, with 54 tackles.
Advantage: Clemson
Special Teams
The Wolfpack special teams unit won the team the game on Saturday, as junior Pharoah McKever blocked a punt that led to the only touchdown of the game. Sophomore kicker Kyle Bambard made a clutch field goal in terrible conditions and missed another one early in the game. Credit Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren for sending Bambard back out there after he missed nearly an identical kick earlier in the same quarter.
Redshirt sophomore and walk-on kicker Greg Huegel was named a 2nd-Team All-American last season by Sports Illustrated after he converted 27 of 32 field goal attempts. This year he has started seven of nine and missed one extra point in 28 tries. Redshirt senior punter Andy Teasdall has placed 11 of his 26 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Advantage: Clemson
