North Carolina State @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) Clemson 43, North Carolina State 23

It was just a few short months ago that Clemson fans were anxiously awaiting word whether quarterback Kyle Parker would be back for another year of college football.

Now struggling at 2-3 within the ACC and 4-4 overall going into Saturday’s date with visiting North Carolina State, there are more than a few in Tiger Nation who, in retrospect, would have probably preferred it better if the Colorado Rockies’ first-round pick would have begun playing baseball instead. A sophomore who had hoped to pick up where a strong freshman season left off, Parker has struggled with his accuracy and decision-making, and his mistakes have cost the Tigers dearly this season.

Parker is completing 53 percent of his passes, worst among ACC quarterbacks with enough pass attempts to qualify and he’s averaging a little more than 164 yards passing per game. Clemson’s pass offense ranks a dismal 91st nationally.

Parker officially confirmed this week that this would be his final season. Perhaps tired of Parker’s struggles or maybe turning an eye toward 2011, Clemson coaches have told backup Tajh Boyd to prepare for significant playing time against the Wolfpack.

Whoever is under center will be without leading tailback Andre Ellington. The ACC’s fifth-leading rusher at better than 85 yards per game will be out at least two weeks with a strained toe ligament. Jamie Harper and freshman Rod McDowell will likely get most of the carries in his place.

No. 25 N.C. State (6-2, 3-1) is coming off a 28-24 win over Florida State last Thursday. Quarterback Russell Wilson rushed for three touchdowns and passed for the game-winning score as the Wolfpack beat the first ranked opponent it had faced all season.

Wilson leads the ACC in passing yards (287.8) and total offense (321.4). As a team, North Carolina State leads the conference in passing offense (295.8) and total offense (438.6) and ranks second in scoring offense (35.0). The Wolfpack trail Florida State by a half game in the conference’s Atlantic Division and will need to keep pace to their championship dreams alive.