Clemson football faces toughest test yet in unbeaten NC State

Clemson football looks to keep its undefeated season alive as it hosts a Wolfpack team hungry for an upset win and an ACC title.

With a close win over Texas A&M and a near upset by Syracuse, the Clemson Tigers have been tested this season but this Saturday’s game against the NC State Wolfpack will be their toughest game of the season.

The Tigers have had two weeks to prepare for the Wolfpack and prevent a mid-season blemish on their record. With one of the best defenses in the country and one of the best young quarterbacks, the Tigers are favored to win this game. But this won’t be an easy one to win for Clemson.

The NC State Wolfpack enter this game just like the Tigers, undefeated and fresh off a bye week. Although they haven’t lost a game, the Wolfpack have yet to really impress anyone with their five wins. But for a team that is as talented the Wolfpack, they don’t care about a signature win, especially when one is right in front of them in Week 8. This game would not only alter the ACC but the College Football Playoff as well.

If the Wolfpack were to win, and somehow remain undefeated, would they get into the playoff over a one loss Texas team or a one loss SEC team? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

In one of the biggest games of the day, the outcome can go any way. Here’s everything you need to know about NC State versus Clemson:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

For the Tigers, they’ll need to use their top ranked defensive line to eliminate both the air and ground game. Keeping this one close for the Tigers may not be ideal. If a team like the Wolfpack find themselves still in the game last in the fourth quarter, it builds even more confidence than what has already been garnered throughout the rest of the game.

Forcing NC State quarterback Ryan Finley to throw an interception or two would end any chance the Wolfpack have at an upset. This game is Clemson’s to lose, plain and simple.

For the Wolfpack, Ryan Finley and his talented group of Wide Receivers will need to pick apart the Tigers’ secondary. But for this to happen, they’ll need to establish some sort of run game against Clemson’s heavyweight defensive line. The Wolfpack don’t need big runs, just a few runs that can prevent second or third and long situations.

On defense, the Wolfpack will have to play their best game all season to keep NC State alive in this one. If the Wolfpack defense can’t come up with some big stops, this game could get out of hand quickly.

Prediction

Both teams come out firing on offense as Clemson takes a 14-10 lead heading into the first quarter. But both defenses settle in and each force a turnover, as a late NC State touchdown give the Wolfpack a 17-14 halftime lead. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence comes out in the second half throwing for two touchdowns on back-to-back drives. But Ryan Finley responds throwing one of his own, as the Wolfpack trail 28-24 heading into the fourth quarter.

With under three minutes left to go, the Wolfpack even things up at 31 apiece. The Tigers are unable to respond and give the Wolfpack an opportunity to pull off the upset. One the NC State Wolfpack capitalize on. Clemson falls in this one as NC State kicks a game winning field goal as time expires.

Prediction: NC State 34, Clemson 31.