The North Carolina State Wolfpack set their sights on the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, October 15th in Death Valley. The game is scheduled to go down at High Noon ET and will be shown on the ABC Network. The Tigers are a -17.5 favorite and the total has been set at 56.5 and has since moved to 60.5.
Clemson is coming off of an impressive performance in a victory over the Boston College Eagles last Friday. Deshaun Watson and company avoided a let down game and throttled B.C. by 46 points.
On the other side, the Wolfpack defeated the Fighting Irish at home in a game that was a complete mess due to weather restrictions from Hurricane Mathew. On a field that resembled a swamp, the Wolfpack found away to beat Notre Dame 10-3.
North Carolina State (4-1):
The North Carolina State offense had been solid all year before the Hurricane Mathew debacle. they have been scoring at least 30 points in every game before that, thanks to Boise State transfer Ryan Finley. As of this article, Finley has completed one shy of 90 balls for over 1,000 yards with nine touchdowns and no picks.
Matt Dayes has handled the duties when the Wolfpack need to ground out yardage and put themselves in favorable third downs. This year, Dayes has advanced the pigskin on 98 occasions for 563 yards and three scores.
When North Carolina State needs some productivity in the red zone, they look early and often to tight end Jaylen Samuels. Samuels leads the team in receptions (21) and has a receiving high four touchdowns. Stephen Louis is the ying to Samuel’s yang. Lewis has only 13 grabs but they have gone for 328 yards (25.2 ypc).
Not a whole lot has been said of the North Carolina State defense in 2016. Last years third ranked defense was shredded by Deshaun Watson’s performance. Yet, the Wolfpack have seemed to bounce back. This year, they rank eighth in total yards, eighth in rushing yards, and 17th in points allowed.
Clemson (6-0):
The Tigers offensively, are a team that’s in sync and looking like last years squad that made life difficult for opposing teams. The reason why is the performance of their leader Deshaun Watson. Watson has completed 125 balls for almost 1,600 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven picks.
Running back Wayne Gallman has seemed to be back on track from his slow start in 2016. As of now, Gallman has toted the rock 88 times for 475 yards and five touchdowns to show for his work.
Mike Williams and Ray Ray McCloud are getting the job done at the wide out spots for the Tigers. Together, they have amassed 53 catches through the air for over 700 yards and have added another five scores. Deon Cain only has 13 receptions but six of those also have been for touchdowns.
Defensively, coach Brent Venables is heading-up a squad that ranks 9th in the nation in total defense at 282.2 yards per contest. The Tigers have been extremely effective stopping the pass, allowing just under 150 yards a game. That impressive stat ranks them in at 6th in the nation.
Trends and Notes:
The Wolfpack are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games.
The Over is 6-1-1 in the Wolfpack last 8 games overall.
The Over is 8-3 in the Tigers last 11 conference games.
The Wolfpack are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Clemson.
Game Predictions:
North Carolina State is a field goal on the road away from being undefeated in 2016. Their quarterback isn’t Deshaun Watson by any means but Ryan Finley has yet to throw a pick.
Clemson has seemed to find it’s stride heading into their this weeks match-up with the Wolfpack. With a solid defense and Deshaun Watson upping his game, it’s full steam into the College Football Playoffs.
