College Football Predictions 2018: Picks for the biggest games of Week 8

NC State at Clemson (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Spread: Clemson -17

This is Clemson’s biggest test remaining in the regular season. NC State has played Clemson tighter than most over the last couple of years, pushing them to the brink in 2016 and 2017, before succumbing by seven points each time.

This will be the sternest test yet for freshman phenom Trevor Lawrence since taking over as Clemson’s starting quarterback. Dabo Swinney has done well to not put too much on Lawrence’s shoulders so far this season, instead leaning on sophomore running back Travis Etienne, who ranks 6th in the country in rushing yards with 761 to go along with 11 touchdowns.

Clemson may be forced to air it out more than is comfortable against NC State, as they will surely sell out to stop the run and force the freshman to beat them. NC State ranks 13th in the country in rushing defense, but has been susceptible to the pass. Lawrence has been the ACC’s most efficient passer so far, and he’ll likely have the opportunity to thrown down the field against single coverage to Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross.

NC State brings its own talented passer into the mix with senior Ryan Finley, who leads the nation’s sixth ranked passing offense into Death Valley. This will be Finley’s last opportunity to solve the Clemson equation, and he’ll hope to play better in this go around than he has in the previous two meetings where he completed just 57 percent of his passes with four interceptions.

This version of the Clemson defense certainly isn’t any easier, with the Tigers being just as stingy versus the pass as they are against the run. Their pass rush, led by Clelin Ferrell, figures to make life difficult for Finley.

I think the Wolfpack will keep this game close through three quarters, but Lawrence will hit a big play in the fourth quarter to put it to bed.

Pick: Clemson 31, NC State 17