CLEMSON — The reputation of Clemson’s defense is on the rocks right now.

After a poor showing against the Louisville Cardinals at Memorial Stadium last Saturday, the once elite unit has been titled and is a point of skepticism.

The Clemson defense has started off games well for the entire season. However, as the game goes on a drop off occurs. Last week was no different, except this time the Cardinals racked up 17 first-half points.

“I know these guys like the back of my hand, so I know we’re made of the right stuff,” Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter said. “We’ve been thrown in the ringer and came out swinging, so we know we have the right guys to be a really good defense.”

However, heading into Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech (3:30 p.m., ESPN), the Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) are not playing very good defense, especially when it comes to stopping the run. Clemson ranks 59th (140.0 yds/gm) against the run and 95th in yards per carry allowed (4.61).

However, Carter feels the Tigers can be better than what they showed against Louisville. Clemson gave up 210 yards on the ground and 7.9 yards per carry to the Cardinals.

“I know we have the right guys in the locker room who work so hard every single day and put so much into it,” he said. “I have no doubt that we’ll be okay.”

Still, work has to be done to regain the stability and consistency of execution for the Tiger defense. Carter ensures that, with more work and time, the Clemson defense still has time to be get better.

“It’s just up to us to go out there and do it, at the end of the day,” the senior said. “That’s what we failed to do. We haven’t played like a Clemson defense should play this whole year, but I know there’s still time for us to show that we can be elite.”

With just four games left in the season, they are running out of time to show it.