Clemson @ North Carolina State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) North Carolina State 13, Clemson 14

THE STORY: No. 8 Clemson hopes to continue its march toward an ACC title and BCS bowl bid when it travels to North Carolina State in the latest installment of the Textile Bowl rivalry. The Tigers rebounded from their first loss of the year with a 31-28 home win over Wake Forest, while the Wolfpack dropped a tough 14-10 battle at Boston College. Clemson has clinched the Atlantic Division.

TV: ABC. LINE: Clemson -7.5.

ABOUT CLEMSON (9-1, 6-1 ACC): The Tigers boast one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the nation, ranking 14th in scoring (37.3) and total offense (478.1). Only Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech have held Clemson under 31 points this season. Sophomore QB Tajh Boyd ranks ninth in the nation with 3,017 passing yards and has thrown for 27 touchdowns. Freshman WR Sammy Watkins (68 catches, 1,034 yards, 10 TDs) has emerged as his favorite target.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (5-5, 2-4): The Wolfpack have struggled at times offensively, averaging just 102 yards rushing and ranking 100th in total yardage, but they have managed to stay afloat by winning the turnover battle. North Carolina State is tied for ninth among FBS teams in turnover margin (plus-0.9) and have intercepted more passes (20) than any team in the country. Sophomore CB David Amerson leads the nation with 10 pickoffs.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Clemson leads the all-time series, 51-27-1, and its current seven-game win streak against the Wolfpack is the longest by either side in the series history.

2. North Carolina State has scored just 23 points in its last three games, including a shutout win (13-0 vs. UNC) and shutout loss (34-0 at Florida State).

3. The Wolfpack have been a different team at home, averaging 148 yards rushing there compared with just 56 yards on the road.

PREDICTION: Clemson 34, North Carolina State 21 -- If Boyd can limit mistakes against the opportunistic Wolfpack, Clemson should cruise.