After a 30-20 win against Louisiana Tech, NC State football will travel to Death Valley in Clemson, South Carolina to face the No. 21 Clemson Tigers for the Textile Bowl, hoping to return to Raleigh 1-0 in ACC play.

The matchup between NC State (2-1) and Clemson (1-1) is as highly anticipated as the year before. Arguably NC State’s biggest out-of-state rival, there is plenty of history between these two teams.

The name “Textile Bowl” originates from the fact that Clemson and NC State have two of the largest textile programs at the university level. The name celebrates the contribution that the textile industry had on the economies of both states. The Textile Bowl trophy was introduced in 1981 and the name has stuck with the rivalry ever since.

These two teams have had classic battles in recent years. In 2021, the Wolfpack defeated the Tigers 27-21 in double overtime. This gave Clemson its second loss and practically eliminated it from the College Football Playoff, when it had made it in the previous six years. In 2022, these teams played in Clemson while both being ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll and ESPN College Gameday came to town. Clemson won 30-20.

In 2023, NC State won the Textile Bowl with a final score of 24-17, rallying behind now-sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion. Concepcion had five receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 51 rushing yards. Clemson will be sure to focus on limiting Concepcion, forcing targets to other pass catchers.

Clemson is led by head coach Dabo Swinney, who has been the head coach of the Tigers since 2008. Despite winning multiple national championships in the past decade, there are currently several outside doubts about Clemson’s sustainability as a program due to Swinney’s decision to not use the transfer portal. A big win in a rivalry game would help prove otherwise.

The Tigers face the Pack after a bye in week three. Their most recent win was a dominating 66-20 victory over the Appalachian State Mountaineers in week two. Through the first two games of the season, Clemson’s offense has been led by junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown for 520 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He has also scored two touchdowns on the ground.

Clemson’s leading rusher is senior running back Phil Mafah. Currently, Mafah has 177 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Its leading receivers are freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. and senior tight end Jake Brinningstool. Wesco has four receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown while Brinningstool has 10 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers have big playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, particularly on the defensive line. Junior linebacker Wade Woodaz has recorded a total of 11 tackles while freshman linebacker Sammy Brown has recorded nine total tackles.

Graduate quarterback Grayson McCall has been ruled out of Saturday’s bout with an undisclosed injury, meaning the Pack will ride into Death Valley behind freshman quarterback CJ Bailey as he makes his first collegiate start. Bailey led the Pack to a come-from-behind victory in the second half against Louisiana Tech, throwing for 156 yards and rushing for a touchdown. The freshman will need to show extreme poise as Death Valley is one of the toughest stadiums to play in throughout the country.

Graduate running back Jordan Waters leads the rushing attack with 156 yards and two touchdowns, but don’t be surprised if sophomore Kendrick Raphael and redshirt freshman Hollywood Smothers make an appearance. They each average over five yards a carry and can provide fresh legs and an electric run play when needed.

Concepcion leads the pass catchers with 22 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns, but if Clemson focuses on him as expected, look for junior tight end Justin Joly and redshirt junior wide receiver Dacari Collins to make big plays downfield. Joly has been the second-best pass catcher for the Pack with 11 catches for 153 yards while boasting a team-leading 13.9 yards per catch. Collins recorded three catches for 55 yards against Louisiana Tech and only seems to be heating up. The Clemson transfer should be set for a revenge game and potentially a large role in the offense.

The Wolfpack’s defensive leaders are going to need to make some key plays in the game. Redshirt junior linebacker Sean Brown currently has 22 total tackles, redshirt junior linebacker Caden Fordham has 20 total tackles and senior safety DK Kaufman has 18 total tackles. The Pack has forced five turnovers in its three games played and will need to continue its streak to have any chance in this matchup.

As this is the conference opener for both teams, this is a big game for deciding the trajectory of both of their seasons. NC State has won two of the last three games but has not won in Death Valley since 2002. Both teams have a lot to play for.

Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Tigers is slated for noon on Sept. 21. The game will be played at Memorial Stadium in Clemson.