CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here are some of the numbers to keep an eye on when No. 1 Clemson takes on No. 8 North Carolina in today’s ACC Championship Game (8 p.m.) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
1 – The national ranking of Clemson’s defense on third down. The Tigers have allowed opponents to convert just 24 percent of their third-downs. Clemson also leads the nation in the most three-and-outs forced by a defense – 6.5 per game. By the way, North Carolina’s offense ranks 12th in the country, converting on 48.2 percent of its third downs.
4.3 – The average yards per return allowed by Clemson’s punt coverage unit. UNC is averaging 13.0 yards per return and returner Ryan Switzer is averaging 13.6 per return. He has an 85-yard return for a touchdown this year, which was is the seventh of his career, tying an NCAA record.
6 – The number of wins Clemson has despite losing the turnover battle. In all six instances, the Tigers had two more turnovers than their opponent, the only team in the last decade to go 6-0 in that circumstance.
7 – That’s the ranking of Clemson’s defense this year, which ranks second in the ACC. The Tigers are allowing just 288.5 yards per game. UNC’s offense ranks 16th nationally, averaging 495.7 yards per game.
8.7 – That is the number of tackles for loss Clemson’s defense has averaged this year, which ranks fourth in the country. UNC’s offense has allowed just 4.3 tackles for loss this year, which ranks seventh nationally.
9 – North Carolina is plus-9 in turnover margin, which ranks 16th nationally. Clemson is minus-3 in turnover margin, which ranks 86th nationally.
11 – That is where North Carolina’s defense ranks in the ACC, allowing 394.9 yards per game. The Tar Heels are ranked 64th nationally in total defense. Clemson’s offense leads the ACC and ranks 14th nationally in total yards per game at 502.5 yards per game.
13.5 – That is the number of first downs per game the Clemson defense has allowed. That leads the nation. UNC’s offense is averaging 23.8 first downs per game.
18.8 – The number of points Clemson’s defense is allowing this season, which ranks 16th nationally. North Carolina’s offense is averaging 41.3 points per game, which ranks 11th nationally.
36 – That’s the number of sacks Clemson’s defense has recorded in 2015. That ranks No. 1 in the ACC and No. 9 in the country. North Carolina’s offense ranks 8th in the country and No. 1 in the ACC in sacks allowed.
37.9 – That is the number of points Clemson is averaging this season, which ranks 15th nationally. UNC’s defense is allowing 20.8 points per game which is ranked 19th nationally.
92 – That is the ranking of North Carolina’s third down defense, which is allowing opponents to convert on 42 percent of their third downs. Clemson’s offense has converted on 47 percent of its third downs, which ranks 15th nationally.
127.7 – That is the number of rushing yards per game allowed by Clemson’s defense, which ranks 24th nationally. The Tar Heels are averaging 229.7 yards per game on the ground, which ranks second in the ACC and 18th nationally.
208.2 – That is the number of rushing yards allowed per game by the UNC defense, which ranks 106th nationally. Clemson is averaging 214.1 yards per game on the ground, which ranks third in the ACC and 25th nationally.
421.2 – That is the number of yards per game North Carolina’s defense has allowed in its eight conference games, which is 11th in the ACC. Clemson’s defense leads the ACC in yards allowed in conference games, yielding just 264.8 yards per game.