Keys to Victory: No. 10 Clemson at Wake Forest

Each week, we review the game’s history, three keys to success, and Swanny’s prediction.

The Match-Up:

No. 10/11 Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) vs. Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1 ACC)

Clemson owns 71 all-time wins over Wake Forest, its second-highest victory total against any opponent (73 wins vs. South Carolina). Clemson has a 61-9-1 lead in the series since the formation of the ACC in 1953, an .866 winning percentage.

This year will mark the 72nd consecutive year Clemson has played Wake Forest in football, as the last year the two schools did not play was 1952. With the pandemic interrupting Clemson’s series against South Carolina in 2020, Clemson’s 72 straight years facing Wake Forest (including Saturday’s contest) is its longest active string of consecutive seasons against one opponent. That streak is scheduled to end in 2025 by virtue of the ACC’s new scheduling rotations following the additions of Cal, SMU and Stanford.

Series History:

• OVERALL: Clemson leads series, 71-17-1
• HOME: Clemson leads series, 41-7
• ROAD: Clemson leads series, 27-10-1
• NEUTRAL: Clemson leads series, 3-0
• LAST MEETING: Oct. 7, 2023 (17-12, W)
• STREAK: Clemson, Won 15

Roster:

Rosters will be released by Clemson two hours before kickoff.

Stat of the Week:

Clemson is attempting to start 4-0 in conference play for the 10th time under Dabo Swinney (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022). It would be Clemson's 19th such start since joining the ACC in 1953.

Chasing History:

Clemson enters this year’s game against Wake Forest in search of its 16th consecutive victory against the Demon Deacons. Clemson’s 15-game winning streak is its longest active winning streak against any FBS foe.

The Tigers have produced 10-game winning streaks against opponents eight times in school history. Wake Forest is the only opponent against whom Clemson has recorded multiple winning streaks of 10-plus games, posting a 15-game winning streak against the Demon Deacons from 1977-91 as well as a 10-game streak from 1940-50.

Clemson has recorded three win streaks of 10 or more games against Wake Forest in comparison to a combined five 10-game streaks against all other opponents (Furman, Virginia, The Citadel, Presbyterian, and Boston College).

Memorable Moments: 

1981: Clemson defeated Wake Forest on Halloween by an 82-24 score. That was the highest-scoring ACC game in Clemson history until 2012 when NC State and Clemson combined for 110 points in a 62-48 Clemson win. Clemson was 12-for-12 on third down in that 1981 game and gained 756 yards of total offense, including 536 on the ground, both of which remain school records for the modern era.

1982: Clemson defeated Wake Forest in Tokyo, Japan by a 21-17 score to close out an ACC Championship season. The two teams have played three neutral-site games over the years, including that one in Japan.

2006: Clemson won at Wake Forest, 27-17. The late Gaines Adams had a game-changing 66-yard fumble return on a botched field goal attempt in the fourth quarter to cut the Demon Deacons’ lead to 17-10. The Tigers scored 24 points in the fourth period to gain the victory against the eventual ACC champions.

2011: The Tigers won 31-28 on a 43-yard field goal by Chandler Catanzaro on the last play of the game. That gave the Tigers the Atlantic Division title, and Clemson went on to win its first ACC title in 20 years.

2018: Clemson defeated Wake Forest, 63-3, on the road as Clemson’s 60-point margin of victory was, at the time, the program’s largest margin in conference play in school history. By rushing for 471 yards on 40 carries, Clemson averaged 11.8 yards per carry, breaking the previous school record set on Oct. 17, 1903, against Georgia Tech (11.2). Between Travis Etienne (167), Lyn-J Dixon (163) and Adam Choice (128), Clemson had three players reach the 100-yard rushing mark in a single game for only the sixth time in team history.

2020: Clemson defeated Wake Forest, 37-13, in front of an announced crowd of 68 people in the Tigers’ first game under COVID-19 protocols.

2021: Unranked Clemson faced CFP No. 10 (and AP No. 13) Wake Forest in what represented only the fourth matchup in series history in which the Deacons entered ranked higher than Clemson. Clemson never trailed in storming to a 48-27 victory.

2022: Clemson and Wake Forest combined for 96 points and more than 1,000 yards of offense as Clemson earned a thrilling 51-45 double-overtime win.

Key 1: Speed Kills 

When I watch college football, it always seems like so many teams have players who just fly all over the field, but I don’t see that from this Wake Forest defense watching them against NC State. The Deacons looked sluggish, and I think their linebackers and secondary will have trouble keeping pace with the Tigers' offensive attack.

As I noted on the radio show today, I’m somewhat disappointed that Jake Briningstool hasn’t been a more significant weapon for the Tigers, and Saturday could be a day when we finally see him have a big game. 

Briningstool has 17 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns as we enter the midpoint of the season. I expected more from him at this point, and there is still plenty of time left to rack up stats, but to me, 75+ yards and two touchdowns are in order for the senior tight end, as I expect him to be a mismatch in the middle of the field.

Key 2: Defensive Disruption

Wake’s Hank Bachmeier is about as seasoned as you can get when it comes to quarterback play. Bachmeier is 25 years old and played college football pre-COVID back in 2019. The dude has been around with stints at Boise State and Louisiana Tech. 

Entering today’s game, Bachmeier has seven passing touchdowns offset by just two interceptions. Bachmeier isn’t afraid to pull the ball down and run with it either, as the 6’2, 215-pounder is athletic, but don’t expect that to be a huge part of his game. 

Clemson’s defense has had its lapses this season, but I still reflect on how they looked in the first half against Georgia and believe that can be the standard when they lock in. Getting Peter Woods back last weekend was huge, and I expect his reps to increase steadily as he continues to improve after the chop block injury he suffered against App State. 

If the Tigers can be disruptive upfront, Bachmeier is certain to make some mistakes, and Clemson will quickly capitalize in Winston-Salem.

Key 3: Be Special

Let's give credit to Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser after his outing at Florida State. Typically, going 5-of-7 on field goals would be somewhat disappointing, but there is a lot more to it, in my estimation.

First and foremost, this is a true freshman kicking on the road, and he was smooth as silk. Smooth, you say? What about the two misses? Well, those were blocks, as you probably know, which speaks even more to how special Hauser is. He didn’t miss a beat after those blocked kicks answering with back-to-back makes both times. Here’s a tip of the cap to the freshman fellow as he took care of business in Tallahassee, even with some adversity.

Prediction:

After a somewhat mundane finish at Florida State, after jumping out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead, put me down for this Tiger offense breaking out on the road and not throttling back. The Tigers' inability to score touchdowns in the red zone last weekend was frustrating, but the Seminoles, even in disrepair, have more talent than most teams the Tigers will face the rest of the way. 

I think a similar offensive start is in order. Combined with a defensive score, this game gets away from the Demon Deacons, and the Tigers waltz into the midseason at 5-1 and 4-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which is a great place to be in the 12-team playoff era. 

Clemson 45, Wake Forest 13

Swanny’s Record: 5-0

Swanny’s Predictions: 

✅ = Correct Prediction

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