This weekend, the Clemson Tigers will face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in an ACC matchup, where the Tigers will be looking to avoid an upset. If Clemson is going to come away with a victory, here are five things to watch for:
1. Dominating the run game
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne is the centerpiece of their offense. Claiborne has had an impressive start to the season, rushing for 471 yards and six touchdowns in just five games.
Wake Forest will likely rely on him again this week, but if Clemson’s defense can stop the emerging star in the backfield, it could be a long day for the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest has scored 30 or more points in all but one game this season, with the exception being against Ole Miss, which also happened to be the only game where Claiborne was held to under 85 yards rushing.
Stopping the run game will be a top priority for Clemson’s defense when the game kicks off on Saturday.
2. Cade Klubnik
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has been the driving force behind an offense averaging 39.5 points per game.
Earlier this season, Klubnik became the first quarterback in college football history to post a QBR of 99 or higher in back-to-back games. He is also arguably the most improved quarterback in the country, at least statistically, from last season.
Through five games, Klubnik has passed for 14 touchdowns, rushed for four, and thrown just two interceptions.
If Klubnik continues his strong play, it could be a tough day for the Demon Deacons.
3. Turnovers
Don’t let their 2-3 record fool you — Wake Forest is a strong team, especially on offense.
The offense has kept Wake Forest competitive in nearly every game this season, with two of their three losses decided by a combined four points.
Wake Forest has scored at least 30 points in every game except against Ole Miss.
However, Clemson’s defense will be their toughest challenge yet. The Tigers have forced six turnovers in their last two games, and creating turnovers against a strong Wake Forest offense will be crucial this week.
4. Play-calling
As mentioned, Wake Forest relies heavily on the run game, with 10 rushing touchdowns this season compared to just seven passing touchdowns. Expect them to call a run-heavy game, potentially with 30 rushing attempts, depending on the scoreboard.
Clemson, on the other hand, has been balanced through their first five games, recording 14 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns. Look for the Tigers to continue this balance but also be aggressive in the passing game, especially with deep shots in the first half.
5. Time management
Wake Forest typically leans on their run game, which drains a lot of the clock when they have possession.
Facing a Clemson offense that averages 39.5 points per game, the Demon Deacons will likely aim to take even more time off the clock with their possessions and try to dominate time of possession.
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