By Will Vandervort.

By Will Vandervort

Ball State visits Clemson Saturday afternoon for a 12:29 kickoff.  Who has the edge?

Quarterback: Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd opened the 2012 season with a stellar performance in a win over Auburn last week. Though he threw for 208 yards, it was his 58 yards on the ground, including two big fourth quarter runs that lifted the Tigers to victory. Ball State’s Keith Wenning completed 26 of 41 passes last week for 267 yards. Wenning has now thrown for 4,426 yards in his three-year career. Advantage: Clemson

Running back: Andre Ellington earned National and ACC Player of the Week honors after rushing for a career-high 228 yards last week. It was the fifth best mark in Clemson history, and the second time Ellington has gone over 200 yards in his career. Ball State’s Jahwan Edwards rushed for a career-high 200 yards in the opener and matched a career-high with three touchdowns. Advantage: Clemson

Wide receiver: The Tigers will still be without the services of Sammy Watkins as he serves out his last suspension due to an off-season arrest. However, DeAndre Hopkins is coming off a career-day, including a school record 13 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Though he is only 5-foot-8, Ball State wide receiver Jamill Smith is fast and elusive. He hauled in seven receptions last week for 119 yards, including a long of 42 yards. Advantage: Clemson

Offensive line: Clemson got some great individual efforts from center Dalton Freeman (6-5, 285) and left guard David Beasley (6-4, 315), while grinding out 320 rushing yards against Auburn. The Tigers were much improved in short yardage situations, but still need some work when it comes to pass blocking. Auburn had four sacks. Ball State’s offensive line has a combined 114 starts amongst its five starters led by center Dan Manick (6-4, 290) who has started 29 games in his career. In all, the Cardinals have four seniors and one junior up front to make for the most experienced offensive line in the country. Advantage: Ball State

Defensive line: Malliciah Goodman had two tackles for loss and had a strip fumble against Auburn, while fellow defensive end Vic Beasley introduced himself to the college football world with a monstrous sack in the fourth quarter. The Tigers also looked pretty good in stopping Auburn in short yardage plays. Like a lot of Mid-American Conference teams, Ball State is small along the defensive line, except at nose tackle where Donovan Jarrett fills up space with his 6-3, 327-pound frame. Eastern Michigan, however, was able to run for 180 yards on the Cardinals. Advantage: Clemson

Linebackers: Stephone Anthony did a solid job in his first game starting at middle linebacker for new defensive coordinator Brent Venables, while Jonathan Willard showed flashes of his big play ability at weak side backer. However, the Tigers still had some issues, and Willard himself said he did not play well and was out of position at times. Ball State has an experienced middle linebacker in Travis Freeman (6-0, 235) who has started in 36 of 37 games he has played in. He led the Cardinals with nine tackles in the season opener. Advantage: Ball State

Secondary: Clemson gave up a 54-yard touchdown pass and a 38-yard pass. In both cases the Auburn receivers were wide open. Safety Xavier Brewer admitted early this week there were a lot of alignment issues, but the Tigers adjusted and did not give up a big play in the second half. Ball State held Eastern Michigan to 186 passing yards on 15 of 34 passes. Cornerback Jeffery Garrett had seven tackles, one for loss and a pass broken up in the season opener. Advantage: Clemson

Special teams: Kicker Chandler Catanzaro was 4-for-4 in field goal attempts last week, and now has made 12 straight kicks over the last six games. If he makes his next three field goal attempts, he will break Obed Ariri’s record for consecutive field goals in a row, which currently stands at 14. Ball State punter, Scott Kovanda, was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award last year and has opened this season with a 43-yard average, including all three punts downed inside the 20. Advantage: Clemson

—compiled by Will Vandervort