Thursday's game
With a week off and having to sit and think about the embarrassing loss to an average to bad Maryland team, Clemson should win this game. Yes, another "should win" game. Wake had the week off too, so that might even things up a bit more. But here's a quick breakdown:
Defense
Wake's running game is not very good, with the two top rushers averaging less than 3 yards per carry. That's good for a Clemson defense with a secondary arguably as their best asset. Skinner leads the ACC in pass efficiency. In the past, Clemson has lined up way too deep, giving up the short routes. This, I think, will be the key matchup. Can Clemson contain the short to medium passing game?
Offense
Returning two lineman is great news for the Tigers. Even without the starting left side, Clemson ran over Maryland. I don't buy that MD adjusted at halftime. They did switch from a 3-4 to a shifted 4-3, but if a few people didn't make mistakes to get silly penalties, there would have been over a hundred rushing yards in the second half.
Wake gave up almost 300 yards rushing to Navy in their last game, which probably translates to 150 or so in a normal offense. In every game prior, they gave up over 100 (except for the 90+ to Baylor). The run defense is susceptible to being broken open. A good running game also will open up Wake to the pass (see Ole Miss game).
Conclusion: this match-up is favorable to Clemson. Then again, so was the UMD game. And, if they were up for it, I would argue the Bama game. I see no excuse for not coming back from the state of North Carolina with a win.
Defense
Wake's running game is not very good, with the two top rushers averaging less than 3 yards per carry. That's good for a Clemson defense with a secondary arguably as their best asset. Skinner leads the ACC in pass efficiency. In the past, Clemson has lined up way too deep, giving up the short routes. This, I think, will be the key matchup. Can Clemson contain the short to medium passing game?
Offense
Returning two lineman is great news for the Tigers. Even without the starting left side, Clemson ran over Maryland. I don't buy that MD adjusted at halftime. They did switch from a 3-4 to a shifted 4-3, but if a few people didn't make mistakes to get silly penalties, there would have been over a hundred rushing yards in the second half.
Wake gave up almost 300 yards rushing to Navy in their last game, which probably translates to 150 or so in a normal offense. In every game prior, they gave up over 100 (except for the 90+ to Baylor). The run defense is susceptible to being broken open. A good running game also will open up Wake to the pass (see Ole Miss game).
Conclusion: this match-up is favorable to Clemson. Then again, so was the UMD game. And, if they were up for it, I would argue the Bama game. I see no excuse for not coming back from the state of North Carolina with a win.