Painter’s Preview: Clemson vs. N.C. State

After a bye week, Clemson is set to stay in the Valley as they open ACC play against the N.C. State Wolfpack in the all famous Textile Bowl. The Tigers look to avenge their poor showing against the Wolfpack from last season and carry over the hope that all Clemson fans felt against App. State. N.C. State enters this game 2-1;however, the Wolfpack have not met expectations in any of the three games. They look to amend their poor showings against Clemson, while the Tigers look to carry momentum from their offensive masterclass.

Clemson Preview:

The Tiger offense exploded for the first time since 2020, yet their bye week could have halted the natural progression of this improving offense. After 3 years of mediocre offensive showcases, the signs of life that Dabo Swinney and Co. have been telling us about finally shined in the Valley at night against the Mountaineers. Quarterback Cade Klubnik had a record breaking Clemson QB game with help from star pass catchers Bryant Wesco Jr., Jake Briningstool, Antonio Williams, and T.J. Moore. Clemson’s revamped passing game is slated to continue to dominate as the Wolfpack defense has given up 244 passing yds/g through the first three games of the year (ESPN). Clemson’s star Running back Phil Mafah also was able to accumulate 100 rushing yards for the first time this season against App. State, and he will continue to play a pivotal role in the Tiger’s offensive success. Despite having only 26 carries through Clemson’s first 2 games, Mafah’s workload will surely increase as conference play ensues for Clemson. Unsung heroes of this Tiger offensive are the Big Boys on the Offensive Line. Through just 2 games the Offensive Line has given up only 2 sacks with both coming by the number 2 ranked UGA. The Wolfpack defensive front have only caused 2.5 sacks through their first 3 games, and if the new found strength of Clemson’s offense can halt N.C. State’s rush then the Tiger offense should continue to show their progression in their ACC opener (ESPN).

The Tiger defense will have yet another veteran offense to stop on Saturday as the Wolfpack offense contains only 3 under-classmen (“NFL Draft Guide, Mock Drafts, News | Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services”). Looking to continue momentum from slowing down veteran Mountaineer Quarterback Joey Aguilar in all 4 quarters, Clemson’s defensive attention turns to a struggling N.C. State offense. Despite their struggles, the Tiger defense better be ready as a veteran team can click at any moment because of their experience. Through their first 2 games, Clemson’s defense has looked the part in all phases of the game except for their pass rush. The Tiger front has only accumulated 2 sacks in their first 2 games, and that number will need to increase for them to put pressure on young QB C.J. Bailey, making his first start (ESPN). Defensive Ends Peter Woods and T.J. Parker will need a stellar performance for the Clemson defense to stop the Wolfpack attack. Clemson’s Linebacker Corps poses a question mark for the Tigers as key role player Kobe McCloud suffered a season-ending injury whilst playing the Mountaineers. Other than former 5-star Freshman Sammy Brown, Clemson will need Sophomore Jamal Anderson or RS Freshman Dee Crayton to take on a more pivotal depth role. Despite Clemson’s questionable Linebacker depth, the Tiger Secondary has proved their worth and depth with help of a healthy Shelton Lewis and an improved Jeadyn Lukus. Also expect Star Cornerback Avieon Terrell to continue to grow right in front of our eyes, as he hopes to adopt his brother’s NFL success in the future. This Tiger Secondary will have a tough task on their hands as they go up against the Wolfpack’s best player, K.C. Concepcion. Concepcion is a dynamic Sophomore Wide Receiver who will be the most difficult challenge the Tigers have seen so far. Concepcion dominated the Tiger Secondary last season with 5 catches for 83 yards and 2 TDs (ESPN). Clemson’s experienced Secondary will look to get their revenge against Concepcion with help from the Tiger front in pressuring young Freshman C.J. Bailey. The Tiger defense will hope to help continue the Wolfpack’s offensive struggle as they walk into Death Valley on Saturday.

N.C. State Preview:

N.C. State is looking to rewrite the perception of their offense against the tough Tiger defense in week 4 of the NCAA Football season. The Wolfpack have been led by former Coastal Carolina Quarterback Grayson McCall; however, McCall suffered an injury against the Wolfpack’s last opponent and has been ruled out of the game against Clemson with a day-day injury. The Wolfpack loses a sixth year Senior that has had an impressive college career as a 5 year starter throwing for 91 TDs and only 16 INTs (ESPN). With McCall’s injury, N.C. State will turn their offense over to a former 3-Star true Freshman C.J. Bailey. Bailey led the Wolfpack to a comeback victory against Louisiana Tech this past Saturday throwing for 156 yards, 1 INT, and rushing for 27 yards and a touchdown (ESPN). Against Louisiana Tech, Bailey showcased his running ability and arm strength, but was not put into many difficult situations. The Freshman will have help from another sixth year player in Running Back Jordan Waters. After a successful season at Duke last season, Waters decided to transfer to the Wolfpack yet the results are still to be seen. Waters has only accumulated over 40 yards once for the Wolfpack against the Western Carolina Catamounts who are known for being the alma mater of my High School Defensive Coordinator Jeffrey Beall (ESPN). State’s only power conference opponent held Waters to negative 4 yards rushing, and the N.C. State rushing attack hasn’t lived up to potential (ESPN). He faces another tough challenge against Clemson as they will attempt to take his rushing ability out of the game. The true strength of the Wolfpack offense is the 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year, Wide Receiver K.C. Concepcion. Concepcion is a smaller, dynamic Wideout that is able to do everything for the Wolfpack. He lines up all across the field and even occasionally runs the ball for them. Concepcion is lined up to continue his dominance from 2023 as he already has 199 yards and 3 TDs through the first 3 games. Concepcion poses the toughest challenge for the Tiger defense, and his presence will allow for other targets to get opportunities like Transfer Tight End Justin Joly, former Clemson Wide out Dacari Collins, and RS Freshman Noah Rogers. The Wolfpack will need Bailey and his Receiving Corps to create explosive plays against the Tigers to be successful throughout the game.

The Wolfpack defense is hoping to avenge their poor showing against Tennessee by shutting down Clemson’s new look on offense. After losing their leader Payton Wilson to the NFL, their defense has performed below expectations so far. Now led by RS Junior Linebacker Sean Brown and Transfer Senior Safety D.K. Kaufman, the Wolfpack defense will need to force turnovers to win their game against Clemson. Their 3-man Defensive Line front’s pressure on the Quarterback has been lacking through their first three games as they only have created 2.5 sacks. This will need to change to cause Clemson QB Cade Klubnik to become unsettled throughout the game. Their run defense has also been subpar through the first 3 games of the season as Tennessee was able to run for almost 250 yards. The Wolfpack secondary has looked decent throughout the season so far forcing 2 INTs, 7 PBUs, and 2 TDs (ESPN). However, they were not able to limit the Volunteers explosive plays, and the Tigers are looking to continue their offensive onslaught they begun against App. State. Limiting explosive pass plays while stopping the run is the key to success for the Wolfpack defense. They were unable to accomplish this task against Tennessee and will need to right that wrong to start off strong in conference play.

Keys to a Tiger Victory:

• Keep on Rollin’: Clemson’s offense is on a roll after breaking scoring records for the 1st quarter and the 1st half. In order to win their conference opener against the Wolfpack, the Tigers will need to follow the same recipe as the Tennessee Volunteers. The Volunteers were able to roll N.C. State by destroying their hope through long explosive plays. Clemson showed their ability to create these plays against App. State, and they will need to Keep on Rollin’ to get past their first ACC opponent in the Valley.

• Physical Front Seven: Since QB C.J. Bailey is starting for N.C. State, Clemson’s Defensive Line and Linebackers will need to be physical and create pressure to rattle the 18-year old. Clemson enters the game with only 2 sacks on the season and that number needs to increase throughout the season for the Tigers to have long success during the season. Introducing Bailey to Clemson Football will be a key objective for the Tigers. Clemson needs to walk of the Valley on Saturday will 2+ sacks to ensure a win on Saturday.

• Feed Mafah: Clemson’s star Running Back Phil Mafah was able to break off his longest run as a Tiger and accumulate over 100 yards against the Mountaineers despite only receiving 10 carries (ESPN). For Clemson to keep the N.C. State front honest to the run, Mafah will need to receive over 20 carries for the first time this season. Mafah thrived in his increased workload last season and was able to carry our Tigers to multiple victories. After watching the Wolfpack front, I believe Mafah’s physicality is one key to Clemson’s success

Tiger Watch: Avieon Terrell

Cornerback Avieon Terrell has impressed Tiger Fandom so far this season; however, he is coming up on his toughest challenge yet. Expect Terrell to be matched up with Star N.C. State Receiver K.C. Concepcion for most of the game in order to limit the opportunities given to him. Terrell is a major key to the Tiger’s success against the Wolfpack because slowing down Concepcion seems to be a vital piece to stopping N.C. State’s offense. It will be interesting to see how Clemson Defensive Coordinator Wes Goodwin treats Concepcion through most of the game, but the matchup between Terrell and Concepcion will be fun to watch as both players seem destined to play on Sunday.

Painter’s Prediction:

Clemson is coming off their bye week after fans saw a terrible Clemson offense in week 1 and one of the best offensive showcases we have ever seen from a Tiger roster in week 2. I believe that we see a happy medium of these two scenarios in the ACC opener against N.C. State with some hiccups expected. However, N.C. State’s offensive and defensive struggles have looked too severe for them to flip a switch against the Tigers in the Valley, especially with N.C. State starting a True Freshman QB and new reports on WR K.C. Concepcion entering the game with an injury. Clemson will open their ACC schedule up with a 38-13 win against the Wolfpack. At the moment the spread for this game has increased to -20.5 in Clemson’s favor and with my score prediction it tells us to take Clemson to cover. Currently I am 1-1 in my Tiger Predictions so far, and I am also 1-1 ATS.

Sources:

ESPN. “ESPN.” ESPN.com, 2019, www.espn.com/.

“NFL Draft Guide, Mock Drafts, News | Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services.” Ourlads.com, 2024, www.ourlads.com/.