Clemson vs Wake Forest Preview
In most years, the Clemson Wake Forest matchup up has provided with some close games. The Tigers had a big win last year over Wake but they have experience to challenge Clemson. Jim Grobe has a knack for getting his teams to play up to quality competition so Dabo and company will be well prepared.
Clemson's Offense vs Wake Forest's Defense
Clemson should be able to put points on the board but Wake has 3 guys in particular that can make plays. DT Nikita Whitlock is a menace for opposing teams. He has made a habit of sack opposing QBs and making plays in the offensive backfield. He also averages 7.5 tackles/game as a defensive tackle which is unheard of. The Tigers O-line will know where he is at all times and center Ryan Norton will have to bring his A game as he will have the challenge of matching up against Whitlock most of the game. LB Mike Olsen leads the Deacons in tackles. He excels as a run stopper. In the secondary, DB Kevin Johnson already has 2 interceptions on the season. He has good ball skills and is like having a receiver in the secondary. Clemson would love to have a balanced attack Saturday afternoon. Look for Rod McDowell to get plenty of opportunities. The Tigers will need to double team Whitlock and make sure they account for Olsen as well. Tajh Boyd should be able to make plays through the air. Wake has shown holes in their defense and I'd expect Sammy Watkins to have a big game. Last season against the Demon Deacons he had over 200 yards receiving.
Wake Forest's vs Clemson's Defense
Wake Forest will be led on offense by senior QB Tanner Price and WR Michael Campanaro. Price hasn't put up big numbers but is a solid game manager. Campanaro is very reliable. He is very good at getting open and is very similar to Wes Welker. Also, RB Josh Harris is a solid runner. Wake will have a hard time slowing down the Clemson D-line. Vic Beasley has been ridiculously good so far this season. If the Deacons are in obvious passing downs, they will have lots of trouble with him. With DEs Corey Crawford and Shaq Lawson along with DTs Josh Watson and Grady Jarrett playing at a high level, it could be a long night for Price. Stephone Anthony and Spencer Sheuy have done a great job of roaming the field and making tackles. If Price has time to challenge the Tiger secondary, he could pick them apart but that could be too much to ask.
Special Teams
With Chandler Catanzaro at kicker, Clemson has a huge advantage if the game comes down to field goals. Wake's kicker, Chad Hedlund, has made only 5 of 8 field goals this season. He has yet to be in an environment close to Death Valley so the likelihood he could change his luck is low. The return game should be an advantage for Wake. Clemson hasn't really been a factor returning the ball while Campanaro always protects the ball and can get big chunks of yards when returning punts. He has had only 1 career punt return for touchdown but that was 2 years ago against Clemson.
X-Factor
Holding onto the football will be key for Wake to have any chance of winning. Clemson doesn't have to win time of possession in order to win the game but Wake cannot afford to lose time of possession. Most importantly, the Demon Deacons need to have long sustained drives to keep the Tiger offense off the field. If Clemson gets over 80 plays under offensive coordinator Chad Morris, they are unstoppable.
Prediction
The matchup between Wake Forest and Clemson has produced some surprising moments. Wake for years has been a tough out for the Tigers. Under Swinney, it appears as though they have gotten over that hurdle. Right now, Clemson has too much firepower for Wake to keep up. Prediction: 45-27.
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