Clemson football will battle for Atlantic Division supremacy when they travel to NC State this Saturday. A win would secure the Tigers’ third straight division title.
When? Saturday, November, 4, 2017, 3:30 pm ET
Where? Carter-Finley Stadium (Raleigh, North Carolina)
2016 Record: 7-6 (3-5 ACC)
Head Coach: Dave Doeren (5th year)
Betting line: -7 Clemson
Returning Starters: 17 total, 9 offensive, 8 defensive
Dave Doeren has slowly but surely made NC State competitive in the ACC. The Wolfpack are off to their best start since 2010, sitting 6-2 through the first eight games of the season. Credit Doeren and his staff for their ability to develop talent.
As it stands, NC State is in first place in the Atlantic Division. A win over Clemson would not only take them one step closer to an ACC Championship birth, but, provide a statement win for the entire program.
Thoughts
This is the most talented team NC State has fielded in the past decade. Their combination of experience and depth in the trenches is what’s most promising. That being said, Clemson is even better upfront.
Every starter on the Tigers defensive line will most likely play on Sunday’s. There’s a shot that all of them wind up taken in the first round, whenever they decide to enter the draft. Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant put constant pressure on quarterbacks from the edge, while Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence clog up the middle. Clemson has quality depth behind those four as well.
NC State simply cannot match up with Clemson at the skill positions. The Tigers’ embarrassment of riches at wide receiver is unparalleled. While the Wolfpack have an elite front seven, they are soft in the secondary, ranking 109th in passing defense, giving up 264 yards per game through the air.
On the flip side of the ball, Clemson’s secondary is long and rangy. It’ll be fun to watch NC State’s big-bodied wide receivers battle with the Tigers’ defensive backs all afternoon. Keep an eye on Wolfpack wideout, Kelvin Harmon. Just a sophomore, Harmon stands 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, with strong hands and a wide catch radius.
Next: Where will Clemson be in the first 2017 CFB Playoff poll?
Regardless of who comes out with the win, there will be a host of future NFLers on the field this Saturday when Clemson travels to Raleigh.