CLEMSON — Clemson comes of its bye week to face yet another ACC rival, one of its toughest yet.

The Louisville Cardinals (5-3, 3-2 ACC), coming off a victory against Boston College last week, are looking to start a streak with a win against the 11th-ranked Tigers. However, Clemson has taken note of the importance of the game and what they need to do to win it.

“We are preparing our tails off,” safety R.J. Mickens said. “Trying to clean up from last week, learn from that game, learning from those mistakes versus Virginia, and trying to clean up the small details that could cost us.”

After allowing the Cavaliers to score the first touchdown on Oct. 19, Clemson’s defense didn’t allow any more points until the end of the fourth quarter. After that, they put up touchdowns on three of their four final drives, including a huge 65-yard pass from backup quarterback Tony Muskett.

Being that there were some break downs against Virginia, the Tigers are having to acknowledge the threat that Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough may prove to be.

“They have a really good quarterback and really good receiver,” Mickens said. “So, it’s definitely going to be a big test.”

So far this season, Shough has thrown for 2,348 yards and 20 touchdowns, with five interceptions. Additionally, his main target Ja’Corey Brooks has hauled in nearly 800 receiving yards off 44 receptions.

“We just got to be more disciplined,” Mickens said. “Finish those competitive plays, not give up any explosive passes, and really be sound leveraging the football from the outside and tackle really well.”

Mickens and the Clemson defense will get a chance to prove their stuff this Saturday at 7:30 p.m., against Louisville at Memorial Stadium.