Wake Forest @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2010 ) Clemson 30, Wake Forest 10

THE STORY: No. 10 Clemson can sew up the Atlantic Division crown by beating Wake Forest for the sixth straight time at Memorial Stadium. In the Demon Deacons’ last five visits to Death Valley, they’ve been outscored 205-73. The Tigers had a week off to put their 31-17 loss at Georgia Tech behind them. The Deacons are coming off a frustrating 24-17 loss to Notre Dame in which they twice failed to convert 1st-and-goal opportunities in the fourth quarter.

TV: ESPNU. LINE: Clemson -16.5.

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (5-4, 4-2 ACC): The Deacons rank just 108th in rushing yards (104.7) and 79th in total offense (370.4). True freshman RB Orvin Reynolds lost his redshirt against Notre Dame and could take on a big role due to a lack of depth at the position. Sophomore QB Tanner Price has thrown for 2,154 yards and 15 TDs, with six INTs. Wake Forest ranks 10th in the ACC in scoring defense (27.9). The starting inside linebackers in the 3-4 scheme combined for just one tackle against the Irish.

ABOUT CLEMSON (8-1, 5-1 ACC): QB Tajh Boyd has thrown 25 TDs against just five INTs, and has a blazing fast WR corps led by Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. Junior RB Andre Ellington (ankle) is expected to return after missing the loss at Georgia Tech. He ranks fourth in the ACC with 93.1 yards per game. With Ellington sidelined, freshmen D.J. Howard and Mike Bellamy fumbled. DT Brandon Thompson is projected as a high first-round NFL draft pick.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wake Forest S Josh Bush has five INTs, second-most in the ACC.

2. Wake Forest WR Chris Givens is 68 receiving yards from tying Ricky Proehl’s singe-season record of 1,053, set in 1989.

3. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is 27-16 in three-plus seasons as head coach.

PREDICTION: Clemson 41, Wake Forest 21 – After a much-needed off week, the recharged Tigers will get back to their dynamic form.