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Clemson Football: 3 Reasons Tigers will beat the Demon Deacons

By Dante Pryor

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaks with media before Spring practice in Clemson, S.C. Wednesday, March 2, 2022.Clemson Spring Football Practice March 2
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaks with media before Spring practice in Clemson, S.C. Wednesday, March 2, 2022.Clemson Spring Football Practice March 2 /
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#5 Clemson Football travels to Winston-Salem to play the #21 Demon Deacons. Here are three reasons they win the game.

Clemson football will play its conference opener on the road in Winston-Salem to clash with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Truist Field. The Tigers come into the game a seven-point favorite with the game being broadcast on ABC television. Clemson football comes into this game looking significantly better offensively this season.

One reason for the Tigers’ offensive rebound is they are healthy. Running back Will Shipley, wide receiver Beaux Collins, and the offensive line has not missed significant time this season. A healthy offense and one of the best defensive units in college football are contributors to Clemson’s undefeated start.

Wake Forest comes into the game undefeated as well; thankful quarterback Sam Hartman returned as soon as he did. For both teams, this is the most challenging game thus far. Clemson football needs this win if they hope to return to the College Football Playoff.

Here are three reasons the Tigers win.

Wake Forest can’t block Clemson’s defensive front.

Last season Clemson defeated Wake Forest at Death Valley East 48-27 and sacked Sam Hartman seven times. The Deacons ran for just 36 yards, and Wake Forest had three turnovers. Those numbers were against a Clemson defensive front that was about 60 percent. Bryan Breese and Xavier Thomas did not play in that game.

If Wake Forest couldn’t block Clemson at 50-60 percent last season, there is no logical reason to believe they can block them this season. Clemson’s defensive line is elite, and Wake Forest’s one weakness is the offensive line.

The Demon Deacons want to run tempo and throw the football all over the field. Head coach Dave Clawson is going to try to get the ball out of Hartman’s hands as quickly as possible, which limits the big-play ability of A.T. Perry and Donovan Greene. Clemson tackles well; without the vertical passing game, Wake Forest’s offense will struggle.

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