Thoughts on Thursday: #18 Clemson Tigers v. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
By Rich Lynch
The Thoughts on Thursday this week revolves around an ACC Atlantic Division matchup between #18 Clemson and Wake Forest in Groves Stadium on the Wake Forest campus. A win by Clemson keeps the high scoring Tigers in the discussion for an ACC championship while a win by Wake Forest would get the Demon Deacons one step closer to a bowl game.
The Tigers are averaging 41 points per game on offense which ranks them 15th in the country. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd has completed 67 percent of his passes for 1908-yards, 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Additionally, Boyd has run for 251-yards and four touchdowns. Running back Andre Ellington leads the Tigers in rushing though with 693-yards and seven touchdowns. As a tandem, De’Andre Hopkins and Brandon Ford have combined 1079-yards and 13 touchdowns receiving. Sammy Watkins has had a disappointing season with 24 receptions for 202-yards and no touchdowns.
The Clemson defense has not been effective. They are allowing opponents 26 points per game which ranks them 63rd in the nation.
Wake Forest is 4-3 this season however, they have not defeated a quality opponent since North Carolina in the second game of the season. Offensively, Wake Forest is scoring 22 points per game which ranks them 96th in the country. The Demon Deacons quarterback Tanner Price has not developed to the level anticipated when he was recruited out of Austin, Texas. Price has completed 50 percent of his passes for 1327-yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Running backs Josh Harris and Deandre Martin have combined for 731-yards and nine touchdowns. Receivers Michael Campanaro and Terence Davis have 57 receptions, 712-yards and four touchdowns as a pair.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons seem possessed and not in a good way. Wake Forest is allowing opponents to score 28 points per game which ranks them 75th in the country.
Look for Clemson to start out the game slowly on offense and then pick up the pace. Wake Forest has lost to Maryland and Duke this season. They have no chance in this game.
Final Score: Clemson 38, Wake Forest 18