Keys to Victory: No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 10 NC State

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

The Match-Up:

No. 5 Clemson (4-0, 2-0 ACC) at NC State (4-0, 0-0 ACC)

Saturday’s game will be the first in the series to feature both teams in the AP Top 10. The Tigers and Wolfpack have met five times, with both teams ranked in the AP Top 25, including Clemson wins in 1991, 2017, and 2018 and NC State victories in 1986 and 1992. The lower-ranked team took each of the first three meetings until higher-ranked Clemson squads earned wins in 2017 and 2018.

Clemson vs. NC State (2021)

Series History:

• OVERALL: Clemson leads series, 59-29-1
• HOME: Clemson leads series, 29-11-1
• ROAD: Clemson leads series, 22-17
• NEUTRAL: Clemson leads series, 8-1
• LAST MEETING: Sept. 25, 2021 (27-21, L)
• STREAK: NC State, Won 1

Stat of the Week:

Clemson is attempting to extend the longest home winning streak in series history by winning a ninth straight home game against NC State at Memorial Stadium, dating back to 2004. The last time NC State won in Clemson was in 2002 in a game branded by ESPN as “College Football Thursday Night presented by Circuit City.”

Chasing History:

Clemson enters the contest having won 36 games in a row at Death Valley, dating to a loss to Pitt on Nov. 12, 2016. A 37th consecutive home win on Saturday would tie the ACC record set by Florida State from 1992- 2001, as Miami’s FBS-record 58-game home winning streak from 1985-94 predated the Hurricanes joining the ACC in 2004. Clemson would also tie Florida State and two different Yale runs (1900-03 and 1904-08) for the 11th-longest home winning streak in FBS history.

Key 1: Downfield Domination

D.J. Uiagalelei was a mess last season. Let’s be honest about that. It’s in the open. Even Dabo Swinney has talked about the junior quarterback’s headspace during a disappointing 2021 campaign.

This season has felt different, and even though there have been moments, including games I’ve labeled as “sluggish blowouts,” the Tigers are markedly better on offense. If Clemson is going to win tonight’s game, Uiagalelei has to be sharp once again. The Wolfpack presents the most challenging test defensively Clemson’s seen, and it’s not even close.

If D.J. and Company play well, his name could begin to pop up in Heisman conversations as he will have completely turned things around from one year ago. He’s far from being what most people hoped, but there is no denying that he’s made incredible strides forward, and a big game tonight on the national stage would be clutch.

Key 2: DLU

Clemson’s defensive front just hasn’t been as dominant as I expected to be honest. When the Tigers were led by Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell, and Austin Bryant, those guys lived in the backfield of every opponent. 

Last weekend at Wake Forest, there was a lot of blame on the Tiger secondary (and I can’t defend what we saw), but the defensive front didn’t help much.

That group is far too talented not to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks even if the Tigers choose to drop eight men in coverage. The NFL talent up front is obvious, but as a group, they’ve yet to perform at that level. 

We’ve seen flashes from individual players at different times, but collectively they need to be a force tonight against the Wolfpack.

Key 3: 85,000

So Clemson talks it up, and we are going to use it as well. The 85,000 Tiger fans vs. the 11 Wolfpack players tonight will be key. NC State has NEVER played a game in an environment like the one they will face tonight. 

You guys, you orange-clad faithful, have been seething about the double-overtime loss last season at Carter-Finley, and tonight’s game provides an opportunity for revenge. That is not lost on me at all. In fact, I think you guys will play a key role-- as you did against Notre Dame and Louisville in similar style games.

Clemson’s used to this moment. NC State’s not-- and I think the Tiger faithful will help bring home a win under Death Valley’s lights.

Prediction:

This one is as big as any we’ve seen in Death Valley in a while, and there is no doubt about that. The Wolfpack are chasing Clemson, and last season NC State caught a Tiger by their toe in Raleigh. This year, they won’t be so lucky as the Pack will catch a claw-filled paw tonight on national television. Some will say my pick is fueled by some “love for Clemson,” but you couldn’t be further from the truth. My prediction this week comes from watching these Tiger teams in games like this for nearly a decade. 

Clemson 34, NC State 20

Swanny’s Predictions: 

*Correct predictions in bold