The Last Look: No. 4 Clemson vs No. 20 NC State

Dabo Swinney’s motto as the calendar turns is: “You Remember November.”

This weekend marks the beginning of Clemson’s “Championship Phase” as the Tigers head to Raleigh to take on N.C. State in what looks to be an Atlantic division championship game.

We all thought the road to the ACC Championship would run through Death Valley when Clemson faces Florida State, but the Seminoles are fighting to remain bowl eligible and have their own problems.

The Wolfpack present Clemson with a unique challenge this weekend and are out for blood after last year’s heartbreaking loss in Clemson.

Here are a few final things to look for as the Tigers prepare to face the Wolfpack:

The Battle of the Defensive Lines:

The defensive fronts on both of these teams are arguably the two best in the entire conference, if not the entire country.

N.C State is loaded with talent up front and it all begins with Bradley Chubb., the All-American Junior that is a sure-fire first-round draft pick.

He has 45 tackles on the season and 7.5 sacks. Chubb always seems to show up in the big games. In a big home win against Louisville, he had six tackles and a sack and against Notre Dame, he had eight tackles and a sack as well.

Clemson has a great defensive line of its own, but there is a good chance that this Wolfpack unit can out-perform them Saturday afternoon. Austin Bryant said earlier this week that this is the matchup to look for this weekend.

“Their D-line is one of the best in the country. Our offense has a big task at hand, but I think they prepare against some of the best guys in the country too, so it’s definitely going to be a great challenge.”

There is some extra motivation with the matchup as well.

“This is a prideful game, and you want to be the best so you have to outperform the best,” Bryant said. “They’re considered one of the best. We’re considered one of the best by many people. It’s just about being able to perform when the lights come on.”

Jaylen Samuels is as dynamic as it gets:

“He’s one of the best players that has come through this league,” Swinney said Tuesday when referring to the ability of Samuels.

He is a matchup nightmare for everyone and can line up anywhere on the field. The senior has 56 receptions for 474 yards and three touchdowns. He also lines up at running back and has 39 carries for 209 yards and seven touchdowns.

Clemson’s defense will have to keep tabs on him throughout the game. Losing sight of Samuels will burn the Tigers if he is given the chance to make a play.

Revenge of the Wolfpack:

This is Clemson’s biggest game of the season, but this game is arguably N.C. State’s biggest game in the last few years.

The Tigers come in as reigning national champions, but that maybe could have been spoiled last year if Kyle Bambard had made a 33-yard field goal to end the game.

Add the revenge factor with the fact that this is a game potentially sees who represents the Atlantic division in the ACC Championship and you’ll get an unbelievable atmosphere.

The Wolfpack will come out playing with an edge unlike ever before in front of a crowd that wants to knock the Tigers off their high horse.

Clemson has been in this situation already this season in “revenge” games at Louisville and Virginia Tech. We’ll see how Clemson responds to this type of environment as “Championship Phase” continues.

With all that being said, I believe this game will be closer than Clemson’s other ranked matchups on the road this season. The Wolfpack will come out firing, but Clemson will respond.

With both defenses loaded, the first team to 20 wins.

Clemson wins 21-17.