Here is a look at the top matchups for today’s Appalachian State at No. 12 Clemson game, which is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m. in Death Valley. The Mountaineers have won seven straight games dating back to last season. It’s the fifth longest winning streak in the country.
Clemson’s Charone Peake vs. App State defensive backs: The question all week has been how well will wide receiver Charone Peake play in the place of Mike Williams, who injured his neck in last week’s win over Wofford. Peake, 6-3, 215, is just one inch and five pounds smaller than Williams, plus he runs a 4.192 in the 40. He is a senior, who has made some spectacular catches in his own right in his career. App. State comes in with a secondary that has a junior and a sophomore on the edges and two seniors and a junior playing the safety spots. Between the 20s, I like Peake in this matchup because App State has only one defensive back that stands at 6-3 and that is free safety Alex Gray. The rest stand no taller than six foot. I’m also interested to see how Peake responds in the red zone now that he is on the boundary side of the field. Advantage: Clemson
Deshaun Watson vs. App State defense: We heard how aggressive the Mountaineers are on defense. They like to bring pressure, they disrupt the receivers routes and they try to mess up the timing between the quarterback and the receivers. Last week, Wofford dropped eight men back into coverage at times and Watson picked it apart, completing 18 of 22 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. I doubt App State will play soft coverage. That means Watson will have an opportunity with Peake, Artavis Scott, Germone Hopper and tight end Jordan Leggett to make some plays down field. Advantage: Clemson
Clemson’s offensive line vs. App State’s defensive front: Wofford did not present much of a challenge to this Tigers’ young offensive line last week. On the second play of the game, freshman left tackle Mitch Hyatt pancaked a Terrier, and then went on to grade at 92 percent. The Clemson offensive line did not allow a sack all day, while the Clemson running backs averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns. In their 3-4 base defense, the Mountaineers have a little more size and athleticism than what the Tigers witnessed last week. Defensive end Ronald Blair is 6-4, 270. Nose guards Tyson Fernandez and Darian Small are both 6-2 with Fernandez weighing 320 and Small at 315. Rush end Nate Norwood is 6-4 and is a quick 240, while outside backer Kennan Gilchrist is fast at 6-2, 210 pounds. This is going to be the best matchup all day in my opinion. Advantage: Even
Clemson’s defense vs. App State’s Taylor Lamb: Last week, Lamb completed 16 of 21 passes for 206 yards and three scores. He is not too flashy, but he was very efficient. That’s the best way to describe Lamb, he is efficient. The son of former Furman head coach Bobby Lamb, Taylor understands his limitations and he recognizes his strengths. There is no doubt Clemson has to get to the sophomore, no matter what App State does to protect him. The Tigers have to try to mess up his rhythm and keep him and the App. State offense behind the chains and guessing. That’s easier said than done. Since becoming the quarterback at mid-season last year, the Mountaineers have won all seven games with Lamb behind the center. Advantage: Clemson
Bottom line: App State is definitely a better, more talented and deeper team that what the Tigers saw last week with Wofford. But Clemson is more talented, deeper and is without a doubt better than App. State. Head coach Dabo Swinney always says, “It isn’t about our opponent and what they might do, it’s about us.” If Clemson has that attitude today then it will win going away. If it doesn’t, then it might be in for a dog fight. Prediction: Clemson 45, App State 13