CLEMSON – It’s Game Day in Death Valley where the Tigers host the Heels in an ACC showdown.

Location: Memorial Stadium – Death Valley

Kickoff:  7:00 PM

Television:   ESPNU

2014 Record: Clemson  1-2  North Carolina 2-1

ACC Record: Clemson 0-1  North Carolina 0-0

Series History: Clemson leads 35-19-1

Last Meeting:  Clemson won 59-38 in 2011

UNC Coaching Connections

Two Clemson coaches formerly coached at North Carolina.  Dan Brooks was the defensive line coach at UNC from 1989-93.  Danny Pearman coaches at North Carolina in 2006 on special teams and the defensive line.

West Returns

North Carolina co-defensive  coordinator Ron West returns to Clemson.  West is a Clemson graduate and played for the Tigers in the 70’s.  West also coached at Clemson from 1999-2008.

Heels Limp Into Death Valley

North Carolina was embarrassed last week when they lost 70-41 at East Carolina.

Toughest Schedule

The Tigers enter Saturday’s game with a 1-2 record but have played one of the toughest schedules in the nation.  The latest Sagarin rankings have Clemson with the toughest schedule in the nation so far.

Welcome Home

The Tigers return to Death Valley Saturday, a place where they have been very successful under Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.  Clemson is 33-6 under Swinney in the Valley.  That includes a 13 game home win streak from 2011-12, the longest in Clemson history.

First Start for Watson

Freshman sensation DeShaun Watson gets  his first  start for the Tigers Saturday night.  He will be the first  true freshman to start at Clemson in 20 years.  The last true freshman to start was Nealon Greene in 1994.

TCI Predictions (Updated Saturday)

Robert – Clemson 58  North Carolina 14

Will – Clemson 52 North Carolina 10

Ed – Clemson 62 North Carolina 24

Qualk – Clemson 48 North Carolina 20

Hale – Clemson 63 North Carolina 23