Championship weekend offers Clemson a chance to look in the mirror, so to speak. Not merely because UNC is schematically similar, but because the Clemson defenders need to look in the mirror and find themselves. After a fantastic start, the defense regressed to the level of preseason expectations thanks to a myriad of busts and lack of depth/discipline at linebacker. UNC possesses the most dynamic, explosive, and ultimately the best offense Clemson has faced all year, and you are right to be nervous.
We've heard many excuses for the Clemson defense over the past month, which blame the recurrent busts on a lack of focus which derive from a lack of respect for the weak opponents since FSU.