North Carolina @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Clemson 16, North Carolina 21

THE STORY: Eighth-ranked Clemson put its offensive flexibility on display in rallying from an 18-point deficit last week. Now the Tigers look to remain unbeaten and on track for a berth in the ACC title game when they host to North Carolina on Saturday. Junior running back Andre Ellington rushed for a career-best 212 yards last week in the Tigers’ 56-45 win over Maryland, while freshman receiver Sammy Watkins finished with a school-record 345 all-purpose yards.
North Carolina’s two-game winning streak ended last week in a 30-24 home loss to Miami. The Tar Heels trailed 27-3 late in the second quarter before rallying. UNC pulled within six points and recovered an onside kick in the final minute, but could get no closer than the Miami 30.
Clemson leads the series 34-19-1 and has won five of the past seven meetings. UNC won last year’s contest, 21-16.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Clemson -10.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (5-2, 1-2 ACC): Quarterback Bryn Renner leads the ACC in passer rating (174.1) and completion percentage (75.3 percent), and passed for a career-high 288 yards against the Hurricanes. Redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard rushed for 110 yards last week, the fifth consecutive game he’s topped 100 yards. Bernard ranks third in the ACC in average rushing yards (109.6). UNC has allowed more than 22 points just twice in seven games.

ABOUT CLEMSON (7-0, 4-0 ACC): Quarterback Tajh Boyd returned from a hip injury suffered the week before to pass for 270 yards and four touchdowns against Maryland, as the Tigers rallied from a 35-17 third-quarter deficit. Clemson ranks second in the ACC in scoring offense (38.0 points) and total yards (487.1). Defensively, the Tigers took a step back last week, allowing a season-high in points after allowing just 47 points in their previous three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ellington earned ACC offensive back of the week honors, and Watkins won both the rookie and the receiver of the week awards for the second time this season.

2. The Tar Heels rank 10th in the nation in punt return defense.

3. Clemson is off to its best start since 2000, when the Tigers won their first eight games.

PREDICTION: Clemson 35, North Carolina 28 – The Tar Heels have the offense to hang around, but Clemson’s defense will come up with more stops to prevail in a shootout.