Clemson, S.C. – The Clemson Tigers are coming off their bye week and preparing for their first ACC game of the season this weekend against NC State. The Tigers enter the matchup at 1-1, with a loss to No. 2 Georgia and a win over Appalachian State.
Here are five things to watch for as Clemson seeks a victory on Saturday:
1. Defensive Line
Clemson has recorded only one sack in its first two games. The Tigers sacked Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar once but failed to bring down Georgia’s Carson Beck.
Facing NC State freshman quarterback CJ Bailey this weekend presents a great opportunity for Clemson’s defensive line to add to its sack total. With Bailey making his first career start on the road, expect Clemson’s defensive coordinator to apply early pressure to rattle the young QB.
2. Big Plays
Clemson’s scoring against Appalachian State largely came from explosive plays downfield. It was the type of offensive performance Clemson fans had been hoping for and a stark contrast from what they saw in the loss to Georgia.
Look for Clemson to attempt more big plays early in the game to gain quick momentum. On the defensive side, expect the Tigers to focus on limiting big plays after NC State’s explosive offense was the difference in last season’s contest.
3. Turnovers
Through two games, Clemson has committed two turnovers — one on offense and one on special teams. Turnovers are a significant momentum-shifter, and the team that wins the turnover battle often wins the game.
CJ Bailey will be facing one of the top defenses in the country in Clemson. With this being his first career start, the Tigers will look to capitalize on any opportunity to force a turnover and give the ball back to their offense.
4. Aggressive Play-Calling
Clemson fans had been calling for more aggressive play-calling, and the offense delivered against Appalachian State.
The offensive scheme looked dramatically different from Clemson’s conservative approach in the opener against No. 2 Georgia, where the Tigers appeared hesitant to take risks. Fans can expect a similar game plan to the Appalachian State game, with Clemson looking to exploit a struggling NC State defense.
5. Passing Game
Quarterback Cade Klubnik had the best game of his career in Clemson’s last outing, completing 24 of 26 passes for 378 yards and accounting for seven total touchdowns — all in just one half.
While it’s unlikely he’ll have another record-breaking performance this weekend, Klubnik’s confidence should carry over. As for NC State, expect a lot of short, safe passes from Bailey as he settles into his first start.
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