Clemson @ North Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2006 ) North Carolina 7, Clemson 52

It’s make or break time for coach Dabo Swinney and struggling Clemson.

Hard-luck losers of their last two games after a hot start, the Tigers suddenly find themselves in a precarious position as they head into Saturday’s pivotal ACC match-up at North Carolina.

Clemson (2-2, 0-1) needs a win to stop the bleeding as it delves into the meat of its schedule. Another couple losses would assure Clemson of no better than a middle-of-the-pack ACC finish. That’s hardly what Sweeney or Tiger Nation had in mind at the start of the season.

To avoid such a dubious outcome, the Tigers will have to get more consistent play from quarterback Kyle Parker. The strong-armed sophomore has completed just under 53 percent of his passes this season and threw three costly interceptions in the 30-21 loss to Miami last week.

He’ll need to do better to open up space for tailbacks Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper to run. Ellington is averaging a robust 7.0 yards per carry and leads the ACC in both rushing (380 yards on 54 carries) and touchdowns (seven). He’s managed to score at least one touchdown in each of the Tigers’ four games.

Still without a number of key players due to ongoing NCAA and school investigations, suddenly resurgent North Carolina (2-2, 0-1) is seeking a third consecutive victory after erupting in the second half to down East Carolina 42-17 last week. Tailbacks Johnny White and Shaun Draughn each rushed for more than 100 yards as the Tar Heels powered their way to a season-high 263 yards on the ground and 444 total yards.

North Carolina gets some welcome relief this week with the return of All-ACC safety Deunta Williams from his four-game suspension. However, linebacker Quan Sturdivant missed last week with a hamstring injury and remains questionable.

The lack of depth has forced coach Butch Davis to play seven true freshmen this season, with three of those starting at least one game. Their inexperience has shown at times, but the suspensions have left Davis with little recourse.

Tar Heels quarterback T.J. Yates continues to win over the many skeptics who have doubted him throughout his career. He’s completed 68 percent of his pass attempts (86 of 126) for 1,006 yards, with seven touchdowns and one interception.

Clemson has won five of the last six meetings, ringing up at least 31 points in each of those victories.