12:05 pm
September 24

#5 Clemson @ #21 Wake Forest

Who will WIN this matchup?

#5 Clemson Tigers (3-0)

@ #21 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0)

 

Current odds:

Clemson Tigers: (-286)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons: (+225)

 

• The spread for this game is Clemson by 7.5 points.

• Fifth-ranked Clemson hasn’t defended the pass well this season and figures to see a lot of balls in the air when it battles No. 21 Wake Forest on Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference play at Winston-Salem, N.C. Clemson is looking for its 14th consecutive win over the Demon Deacons, a streak that began after a 12-7 road loss in 2008. But keeping the streak intact might necessitate an improvement in passing defense.

• The Tigers (3-0, 1-0 ACC) are allowing just 14 points per game but are tied for 86th nationally in passing defense at 244.7 yards per game. Meanwhile, Wake Forest (3-0, 0-0) features the 10th-most prolific yardage passer in ACC history in Sam Hartman.

• Hartman became Wake Forest’s all-time leader in passing yardage (9,891) during last week’s 37-36 home win over Liberty. He passed Riley Skinner (9,762 from 2006-09). Hartman completed 26 of 44 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns against Liberty. But he also was intercepted twice and was off-the-mark on several other throws.

• Wake Forest is averaging 42 points per game and its other wins have come against VMI and Vanderbilt.

• Clemson defeated Georgia Tech and Furman to start the campaign before posting a 48-20 win over Louisiana Tech last week. The Tigers are averaging 41.7 points per game.

• Tigers running back Will Shipley is off to a strong start by rushing for 249 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has thrown for 662 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

• Clemson also is expected to have standout defensive tackle Bryan Bresee back on the field. He missed the Louisiana Tech game after his 15-year-old sister, Ella, died of brain cancer two days earlier.

• Wake Forest is allowing 23.7 points per game and is receiving solid play from safety Malik Mustapha, who leads the squad with 21 tackles and two forced fumbles.

• The Tigers defeated visiting Wake Forest 48-27 last season when they racked up 332 yards on the ground, including 111 and two scores from Shipley. Hartman passed for 312 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Demon Deacons.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#5 Clemson Tigers
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