Preview: Wake Forest (4-2) at Clemson (2-3)
Posted October 14, 2009
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FACTS & STATS: Site: Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,473) -- Clemson, South Carolina. Television: Local. Home Record: Wake Forest 4-1, Clemson 2-1. Away Record: Wake Forest 0-1, Clemson 0-2. Neutral Record: Wake Forest 0-0, Clemson 0-0. Conference Record: Wake Forest 2-1, Clemson 1-2. Series Record: Clemson leads, 56-17-1.
GAME NOTES: The Clemson Tigers have had two weeks to prepare for this week's ACC home clash with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest has won its last two outings to move to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. The most recent triumph occurred last Saturday over Maryland by a 42-32 final. The team's only two losses each came by three points, so the Demon Deacons were just a couple of plays away from being 6-0 right now.
As for Clemson, it has suffered back-to-back defeats to fall to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the ACC. The Tigers took on Maryland back on October 3rd, and the result was a heartbreaking 24-21 defeat. The three losses this season have come by a total of 10 points, which can either be viewed as a source of confidence or a reason for despair.
Clemson owns a 56-17-1 series advantage over Wake Forest, but the Demon Deacons won last season's meeting in a 12-7 final.
The Demon Deacons have been able to move the ball well this season, racking up 426.0 total ypg en route to 29.3 ppg. They have already scored 23 offensive touchdowns, including 15 of the passing variety. All 15 of those touchdown throws have come from the experienced arm of Riley Skinner, who has completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 1,694 yards with seven interceptions. There are a couple of outstanding wideouts on the roster in Marshall Williams and Chris Givens. Williams has 32 catches for 472 yards and five touchdowns, and Givens has 26 grabs for 356 yards and five scores. Wake racked up 516 total yards against Maryland the last time out, and Skinner was simply sensational. The veteran signal caller threw for 360 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions on 24-of-33 efficiency. Given made the most of his five catches, posting 116 yards and two scores.
Opponents are generating 21.8 ppg and 361.0 total ypg against the Demon Deacons, who have been mediocre defensively thus far. The fact that they are limiting opponents to 3.7 ypc and have only allowed three scores on the ground in six games is impressive. Unfortunately, they have surrendered 13 passing touchdowns and 241.7 ypg through the air. With only 10 sacks and eight takeaways, there simply hasn't been enough big plays made by the Wake defense. Tristan Dorty leads the Deacs with six TFLs, three of which have been sacks. The fact that Wake Forest allowed 32 points to Maryland suggests that the defense didn't play nearly as well as the coaches, players and fans would have liked. The Terrapins passed for 307 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 12.8 yards per connection. The Deacs only managed one takeaway in what was another lackluster effort.
Kyle Parker has taken almost all of the snaps under center for Clemson this season, but he hasn't been impressive by any means. Parker has only completed 48.7 percent of his passes for 895 yards with the same number of interceptions (five) as touchdowns. He is surrounded by some significant talent, especially versatile tailback C.J. Spiller. A true burner, Spiller has rushed for a team- high 360 yards, but he has just one rushing score and is averaging a modest 4.2 ypc. As a receiver, Spiller does have another score, but he needs to be more productive. Jacoby Ford, the club's top wideout, has 25 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Spiller does excel on special teams, and he returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown against Maryland the last time out. However, the offense generated a mere 274 total yards in the tilt, and Spiller was held in check. The Tigers averaged 2.7 yards per rushing attempt and 8.8 yards per pass completion in that tilt, numbers that simply won't cut it.
Opponents are only generating 288.6 total ypg against Clemson, which has played well against both the run and the pass. Foes are gaining just 3.3 ypc against the Tigers, who have limited opposing quarterbacks to a 50 percent completion rating. With eight interceptions, the secondary has certainly been opportunistic. DeAndre McDaniel leads the defense with 42 total tackles. Ricky Sapp has seven TFLs to his credit. The Tigers played extremely well against the run in the narrow loss to Maryland two weeks ago, limiting the Terps to 1.5 yards per rushing attempt. Unfortunately for Clemson, it yielded 215 passing yards and two scores through the air without registering an interception. Clemson did come up with a pair of fumble recoveries, but those impact plays weren't enough to avoid defeat.
Clemson gets the nod in this contest, as it is in desperate need of a victory, has had two weeks to prepare, and is playing at home. Spiller is due for a breakout game, and this could be the week.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 27, Wake Forest 20
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