Keys to Victory: No. 4 Clemson vs. Wofford

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Each week we give you a look at the history of the game, three keys to success, plus our staff predictions.

The Match-Up:

#4 Clemson (8-0, 6-0 ACC) vs Wofford (5-2, 4-1 SoCon)

Clemson vs. Wofford 2015

Clemson vs. Wofford 2011

All-Time Series:

Clemson leads: 12-3
at Clemson: Clemson leads 8-0
at Wofford: Clemson leads 4-3
Neutral: N/A
Last Meeting: Clemson won 49-10 (2015)
Last Wofford win: 1933 (14-13)
Streak: Clemson has won 5 straight in the series

Listen Live: Fox Sports Radio 1400 on iHeart Radio

Stat of the Week:

Clemson and members of its squad enter November on the precipice of a number of school records. The Tigers are already in the midst of a school-record 23- game winning streak, and last week, Clemson won its 20th consecutive home game. With another victory at Death Valley this week, Clemson can tie the school record for its longest home winning streak, matching the 21 consecutive Memorial Stadium victories posted across the 2013-16 seasons.

Memorial Stadium has recently played host to one of the most productive and explosive players in Clemson's illustrious 124-year history. Including his three rushing touchdowns against Boston College last week, running back Travis Etienne enters this week with 46 career rushing touchdowns and 49 career total touchdowns, putting him within striking distance of "Thunder and Lightning" for school records in each category.

"Thunder" James Davis presently holds the school record with 47 career rushing touchdowns across the 2005-08 seasons, a mark Etienne can tie with one rushing touchdown or break with two rushing touchdowns.

"Lightning" C.J. Spiller holds the Clemson record in total touchdowns with 51, a record Etienne can tie with two touchdowns or break with three touchdowns. Etienne's productivity is one reason why Clemson's offense ranks fourth in the country and first in the ACC in yards per game, but a look at Clemson's overall team statistics paints Clemson as one of college football's most complete teams.

Clemson is presently the only team in the country to rank in the Top 5 in both total offense (525.9, fourth) and total defense (246.1, fourth) and currently stands as the only team with seven wins against Power Five opponents this season.

Key 1: Zero Turnovers

Last weekend’s 59-7 win over Boston College was the first time since blowing out Alabama in the national championship that Clemson didn’t have a turnover in the contest. It’s funny because, that fact alone is probably the reason that you leave the BC game feeling better than you did against FSU or Louisville, but the results were similar. 

Trevor Lawrence has had his fair share of bone-headed moments this year, but things like that seem to be cleaning up in a hurry. Play safe with the ball against Wofford and the talented FCS school will be outmanned. 

Key 2: Bring the Thunder

IT goes without saying that at this point in the season, there isn’t time to mess around with any opponent, much less a significant underdog like Wofford. Look, I’m not about to try and layout ways that the Terriers can sin this game, but if you want to know where it begins...let them hang around.

Pressure is a strange thing and if Clemson doesn’t put their foot down early, Wofford will continue to see opportunity on the horizon and a chance to go down in the history books. The Terriers are second in the FCS  rushing for over 367 yards per game, so they know how to move the ball on the ground. Look for Blake Morgan and Jacquez Allen to do most of the heavy lifting.

Wofford will have to pound the football on the ground and hope to shorten the length of the game in order to have a chance to challenge the Tigers. The later stay in the contest, the better chance that they put some heat on Clemson. 

Clemson has a ground game of their own and it would be nice to see Travis Etienne and company have a big day on the ground to complement the Tigers’ elite passing attack.

Key 3: Stay Healthy

Okay, so this one has very little to do with today’s game and everything to do with the rest of the season. Clemson should get back Xavier Thomas and you could argue that they’ve been fortunate over the past few weekends to play as well without the former five-star defensive end.

At this point in the season, any injuries could begin to affect postseason opportunities. Its never fun having players get banged up, but when it happens, you’d hope it’s not against an FCS opponent.

Prediction:

I love this matchup for so many reasons, mostly because my father is a Wofford graduate and played baseball there in the 1950s. When I was a kid, the Terriers were a team that I’d root for on a weekly basis and later today, in Death Valley, I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t pulling for the little guy just a bit.

That being said, I don’t think this one’s close and perhaps the Tigers gave us a sneak peek at the final score last weekend against Boston College. I’m going with a repeat performance.

Swanny’s Prediction: 59-7 Clemson

Final Score Predictions: 

Perfect Prediction = 5 points              Best Prediction = 3 Points         Correct Prediction = 1 Point 

👑= 2018 Prediction Champion

**Pick of the Week: Indicates the best prediction.