CLEMSON – Clemson is set to host NC State on Saturday in what will be a big game for both teams. It’s the ACC opener for both squads and neither are looking to get off to an 0-1 start in conference play.

Despite having last weekend off, the 21st ranked Tigers (1-1) come in flying high after the offensive explosion against App State two weeks ago. Cade Klubnik had by far the best game of his college career, and fans also saw just what kind of impact the freshmen receivers can have on the passing game when given the opportunities.

NC State (2-1) comes in fresh off a win against Louisiana Tech, but it was a game that could have easily went the other way. The Wolfpack lost starting quarterback Grayson McCall in the second quarter, meaning true freshman CJ Bailey will be making his first career start in front of a sold out crowd in Death Valley.

The Wolfpack offense has been hit and miss across its first three games, and if we’re being honest, it’s been fairly inept at times. NC State needed late comebacks to beat Western Carolina in the season-opener and La Tech last weekend and in between they were absolutely boat-raced in the second half of a 51-10 loss to No. 6 Tennessee.

Despite some of the offensive struggles, the ‘Pack are rushing for more than 130 yards per game, so one of the keys for Clemson will be not allowing them to get things going on the ground. NC State likes to create explosives off the running game. Contain running back Jordan Waters, who is averaging more than four yards per carry, and make that offense with the freshman quarterback one-dimensional.

One question facing the Clemson defense is whether or not Peter Woods will play. This writer leans towards thinking he will not. Even if he does, he isn’t likely to be 100-percent. Who will the Tigers turn towards to fill that void? The ends setting the edge will be crucial.

Another key is not letting KC Concepcion beat them they way he did last season in Raleigh. The wideout had two touchdown catches against the Tigers, including a 72-yarder late in the third quarter. He also had a 50-yard run that set up his first touchdown catch early in the game. Expect him to line up at different spots throughout in an effort to try and create some mismatches. The Clemson defense will have to know where he is at all times.

On the offensive side, it’s pretty simple. Establish Phil Mafah and that ground game against that 3-3-5 look NC State likes to employ. Getting the running game going will force the Wolfpack defense up and open up some things up for the downfield passing game. Mafah averaged more than five yards per carry in last year’s loss after taking over for an injured Will Shipley, who left in the second quarter. And the offensive line he is running behind is much-improved from a season ago.

At the end of the day, everything points to Clemson here. The Wolfpack have won two of the past three in the series but both of those wins came in Raleigh. You’ll have to go back more than two decades to find the last NC State team to go into Death Valley and come away with a win.

A true freshman quarterback in Bailey making his first career start in that raucous environment won’t bode well for the ‘Pack. Even if Woods doesn’t play. While the Clemson defense only has two sacks across the first two games, the defensive line, led by DeMonte Capehart, has been downright disruptive. And Capehart absolutely had his way with Wolfpack starting center Zeke Correll when he was the starter for Notre Dame last season.

The offense won’t put up the kind of numbers it did against what looks like a bad App State team, but those guys now know what it looks like. They now know what they are capable of. Mafah goes over 100 yards, while Klubnik and those pass catchers have another solid day at the office.

Clemson comes in favored by as many as 20.5 points. I don’t think they cover but do foresee a double digit victory to kick off ACC play.

Clemson 31 NC State 17