Clemson vs Wake Forest: Our Take

Each week we give our three keys to the game and our predictions. Here is a look at this week's opponent Wake Forest.

The Match Up:

#2 Clemson (5-0, 3-0) vs Wake Forest 4-1 (1-1)

All-Time Series:

Clemson Leads 64-17-1
at Clemson: Clemson leads 37-7
at Wake Forest: Clemson leads 24-10-1
at Neutral Site: Clemson leads 3-0
Since ACC formed in 1953: 54-9-1
1st Meeting: Clemson 13-0; 1933, Charlotte
Last Meeting: Clemson 35-13 at Wake Forest in 2016
Streak: Clemson won 8 in a row
Last Wake Forest Win: 12-7 at Wake Forest in 2008
Last Wake Forest Win at Clemson: 29-18 in 1998

Key 1: Stay Focused

There were a lot of similarities between Clemson's road win at Louisville and last weekend's 31-17 win at Virginia Tech. Clemson followed up their effort in Papa John's Stadium by snoozing through the majority of the Boston College game. That needs to be where the patterns end. Clemson needs to come out focused on putting Wake Forest in a hole early.

The Tigers have a short week to prepare for a road trip to Syracuse where the Tigers play on Friday night. Wake Forest is better than they typically have been, but Clemson's on a different level, and if the Tigers play their best, this one should feel over by the half.

Key 2: Hit the Deep Ball

Clemson's biggest weakness on offense this season has been the deep ball. From this observers perspective, that's on Kelly Bryant. While he's had his moments in the downfield passing game, he hasn't been able to drop dimes into the back of the end zone the way his predecessor Deshaun Watson managed to do throughout his career.

If Bryant and the wideouts can build confidence over the next few weeks, it could go a long way towards helping Clemson's offense be more versatile as the competition increases. Bryant has been efficient in the intermediate passing game this season, but hitting the deep ball combined with cleaning up some of his issues with screen passes should take this offense up a notch or two.

Key 3: Contain John Wolford

He might not look like a dual-threat quarterback, but that's what John Wolford brings to the table. He's yet to crack 100 yards on the ground this season, but he's been close. Clemson's defensive line is the best in college football, corral Wolford, and it will be a long day for the Demon Deacons. 

If Wolford has to sit in the pocket and make plays downfield, Clemson's secondary is far too talented to be beaten enough times for Wake Forest to have sustained success. Clemson views three-and-outs like turnovers and I think they will force a lot of three-and-outs on Saturday. 

Prediction:

Last season Clemson jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter at Winston-Salem and ended the Deacons hopes before the engines on the Clemson bus had gotten cool. While Wake Forest is sitting at 4-1, their wins haven't come against the stiffest competition defeating Presbyterian, Boston College, Utah State, and Appalachian State. It should be interesting to see if they show any hangover after last weekend's loss to Florida State.

Clemson, on the other hand, is a battle-tested group five games into the season. Coach Swinney's message to the team about Wake Forest shouldn't fall on deaf ears after the performance against Boston College. After the 34-7 win, players in interviews all but admitted that they weren't as focused as they needed to be on the Eagles. That fact alone will be all the motivation the defending National Champions will need at high noon Saturday.

Clemson Sports Talk

Final Score Predictions:

Best Prediction = 3 Points        Correct Prediction = 1 Point