Tag: Taisun Phommachanh

Brian’s Column: Auburn needs its linebackers to play better in week two

The Auburn Tigers run defense struggled in week one. This week they go up against a Cal team that had 357 rushing yards a week ago.

The Auburn Tigers are coming off a great 59-14 win over UMass in their home opener last Saturday. The offense was efficient, the special teams nearly broke multiple returns, and the defense was solid enough.

That defense relied heavily on their talent and size against the UMass Minutemen. While that worked against an inferior team, Auburn’s defense, specifically the linebackers, is going to have to play more fundamentally sound football if they hope to move to 2-0 after the dust settles on Saturday.

That means the quintet of [autotag]Cam Riley[/autotag], [autotag]Jack Levant[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Woodyard Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Wesley Steiner[/autotag], and [autotag]Larry Nixon III[/autotag] are going to have to step up against a Cal running attack that just gashed North Texas for 357 yards on the ground.

So what went so wrong for this group in week one and how do they fix it?

It all starts with knowing and staying with your assignments in order to avoid runs like this.

This run by UMass quarterback [autotag]Taisun Phommachanh[/autotag] is one of those plays Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts will want to show to his team once and then burn.

The minutemen run a simple counter. Defensive end #33 [autotag]Mosiah Nasili-Kite[/autotag] gets sucked into the misdirection, creating a need for the filling linebacker, #13 [autotag]Cam Riley[/autotag], to keep outside contain.

Instead of doing that, Riley shoots the c-gap, leaving him in no man’s land next to Nasili-Kite.

That leaves cornerback [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] out on an island with Phommachanh, a matchup which the UMass quarterback wins with ease. From there, bad angles by the aforementioned Riley and weakside linebacker, #6 [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag], allow Phommachanh to rumble for 31 yards.

Being out of position was a common theme for Auburn’s linebackers, even on simple play designs.

UMass runs a simple inside concept here, with the offensive line blocking straight up before the left guard comes off his double to the second level.

Again, [autotag]Cam Riley[/autotag] shoots the wrong gap, taking himself out of the play almost immediately.

Austin Keys is late to recognize the run, allowing UMass guard Marcellus Anderson to serve him up a fresh pancake. After Keys goes to the ground, Auburn is left with nobody on the outside, allowing running back [autotag]Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams[/autotag] to pick up a long gain.

Key’s and Riley weren’t the only Auburn linebackers that struggled in the opener.

The Tigers lose contain again on this run play, as [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag] cheats too far inside, allowing [autotag]Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams[/autotag] to bounce his run outside for another large gain.

Again, the job of containment is passed on to a member of the secondary. Although cornerback [autotag]D.J James[/autotag] is a good tackler for his position and makes a nice read, he takes a bad angle and Lynch-Adams has an easy first down.

Bad reads, blown assignments, and missed tackles simply cannot happen often against a good Cal rushing attack. Auburn can’t rely on it’s speed to make up mistakes, as Cal running back [autotag]Jaydn Ott[/autotag] may be the best player on the field on Saturday.

The key for Auburn to win this game is simple.

The run defense just has to be decent enough to hold Cal to one or two big plays. If Jaydn Ott has green grass in front of him, he’s going to back up his trash talk and make the Tigers pay.

Saturday’s game should be a ton of fun, and it kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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Auburn vs UMass: Tale of the Tape

Auburn enters Saturday’s game with UMass as major favorites, but how do they stack up against the underdogs?

The college football season finally kicks off for Auburn on Saturday against 1-0 UMass. The Minutemen are coming off an excellent performance on the road vs. New Mexico State, winning 41-30 on the back of great play from Clemson transfer quarterback [autotag]Taisun Phommachanh[/autotag] and a stout showing from their defensive line.

While the Minutemen surely have momentum coming into this game, there is a reason BetMGM has them as 35.5-point underdogs against the Tigers in Jordan-Hare. The talent gap is wide, but do the direct comparisons support the overwhelming idea this game will be a blowout?

Most football teams’ success is contingent on the play of their quarterback, and both of these teams have a good one.

The aforementioned [autotag]Taisun Phommachanh[/autotag] had an efficient, well-rounded, performance in week one. Phommachanh completed 10 of his 17 passes for 192 yards and was also his team’s leading rusher, compiling 96 yards on the ground on 17 carries.

Still, it’s hard not to give the edge to Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] here. Although he does not nearly pose the threat on the ground that Phommachanh does (He had 270 rushing yards in three seasons at Michigan State), Thorne is clearly the more established passer.

Over three seasons for the Spartans, Thorne racked up 6,501 passing yards to go along with 49 touchdowns.

Phommachanh on the other hand, played sparingly for Clemson and Georgia Tech before transferring this season. The UMass QB has only thrown 70 passes in four-plus years, completing 34 of them for 409 yards and one touchdown.

The Quarterback edge clearly goes to [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] and Auburn.

Experience gives the Tigers the edge in the quarterback battle, and the same goes when looking at the running backs as well.

Auburn running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] is expected by many, including myself, to have a monster season for the Tigers. The junior has averaged a magnificent 6.5 YPC over the past two years, rushing for 1,261 yards and 10 touchdowns on 193 career carries.

Conversely, UMass starter [autotag]Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams[/autotag] came into the season with only 206 carries for 731 yards in four seasons at Rutgers and UMass. Lynch-Adams had a very nice game in his team’s opener last weekend, rushing for 79 yards and scoring twice. Still, Auburn’s All-SEC third-team back has the clear edge here.

As for the final skill position group on offense, the wide receivers, it is hard to gauge which team has the upper hand, at least for now. UMass ran the ball more than twice as much as they threw it in week one, leaving some mystery as to how explosive their pass catcher can be.

Auburn’s receiving core also has a great deal of mystery heading into the season. The team is starting two transfers at the X and Z positions, [autotag]Shane Hooks[/autotag] and [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag], respectively. Although both have had great camps, it is hard to tell how either will adjust to a talented SEC after transferring from smaller schools.

It is too early to give either team an edge in this department.

The one area on the field where the huge underdogs could give Auburn a run for their money is the defensive front. The Minutemen front seven wreaked havoc against the New Mexico State offensive line in week one, sacking New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia three times.

Auburn’s defensive line has struggled in recent years, particularly against the run. This year’s down lineman rotation features three transfers, [autotag]Mosiah Nasili-Kite[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag], and [autotag]Lawrence Johnson[/autotag], as well as freshmen, [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag].

The Tigers are also starting two transfers at the linebacker spots in jack [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag] and MLB [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag].

It may take some time for these new Tigers to get their footing, and that could lead to some early gaping holes for a UMass team that has made it clear they want to run the ball.

I’m giving the ever-so-slight edge to UMass in this category just because of the unknown surrounding Auburn’s front seven.

Despite the surpassingly close comparisons across the defensive front and receiver groups, Auburn still has the clear edge as a team in their home opener. They will attempt to show the Jordan-Hare crowd that edge when the teams kick off at 2:30 CST on Saturday.

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Former Clemson quarterback Taisun Phommachanh stays in ACC

A former Clemson quarterback is on the move to another school, but the Tigers will see him sooner rather than later.

Former Clemson quarterback Taisun Phommachanh has announced he has transferred to Georgia Tech.

Phommachanh entered the transfer portal on Dec. 3, 2021, after the Tigers defeated South Carolina the week prior.

Phommachanh committed to Clemson in 2018 as a four-star recruit in the class of 2019. In his first two seasons with the Tigers in 2019 and 2020, he played 86 combined snaps.

With Phommachanh’s departure from Clemson official, the Tigers now have Uiagalelei, five-star freshman Cade Klubnik, Billy Wiles and Hunter Helms, among others, in their quarterback room.

Clemson will not wait long to see Phommachanh, however, as the Tigers will travel to Atalanta, Georgia, on Sept. 5 in week one of the 2022 season to take on Georgia Tech.

Former Tiger announces transfer destination

A former Clemson quarterback revealed his transfer destination on Monday evening. Taisun Phommachanh announced via social media that he is transferring to Georgia Tech. Phommachanh entered the transfer portal this past December 3. He played in six …

A former Clemson quarterback revealed his transfer destination on Monday evening.

Taisun Phommachanh announced via social media that he is transferring to Georgia Tech.

Phommachanh entered the transfer portal this past December 3.

He played in six games for the Tigers as a redshirt sophomore this past season, completing 11-of-19 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown with one interception, while rushing for 69 yards and another score on 11 carries.

A former four-star prospect, the Bridgeport, Conn., native entered 2021 having completed 11-of-29 passes for 73 yards and having rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries in 86 snaps over seven games.

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Streeter reacts to Phommachanh’s recent entry into transfer portal

During Clemson’s Cheez-It Bowl player-coordinator press conference on Sunday morning, offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter gave his reaction to Taisun Phommachanh hitting the NCAA transfer portal recently. The redshirt sophomore quarterback …

During Clemson’s Cheez-It Bowl player-coordinator press conference on Sunday morning, offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter gave his reaction to Taisun Phommachanh hitting the NCAA transfer portal recently.

The redshirt sophomore quarterback entered the portal on Dec. 3.

“This day and age, with that transfer portal, it’s not a surprise, first off,” Streeter said.

“I’ll say this about Taisun — what an unbelievable young man he is. Comes from a great family. He just felt like he needed another opportunity and another restart somewhere else. So, I’m excited for him to have another opportunity. (He has) my full support, and he did some good things, there’s no doubt about it. He’s got some talent.”

Phommachanh played in six games this season, completing 11-of-19 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown with one interception, while rushing for 69 yards and another score on 11 carries.

A former four-star prospect, the Bridgeport, Conn., native entered 2021 having completed 11-of-29 passes for 73 yards and having rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries in 86 snaps over seven games.

With Phommachanh’s exit from Clemson to the portal, it leaves the Tigers with three healthy quarterbacks heading into Wednesday’s Cheez-It Bowl matchup vs. Iowa State — sophomore D.J. Uiagalelei, redshirt freshman Hunter Helms and true freshman Billy Wiles.

Streeter said he feels “really, really good” about Clemson’s backups at quarterback behind Uiagalelei.

“I really do,” he added. “You have a guy named Hunter Helms and you have a guy named Billy Wiles who have put the work in, number one. They understand the offense, they understand the big picture and they continue to improve, they continue to want to get better and better each and every day. So, that’s the biggest thing is knowing that you have guys behind D.J. that can manage it and understand the big picture, and that’s what they’ve been able to do. So, just really excited about those two young guys.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said recently that Helms and Wiles, each originally preferred walk-ons, would both be placed on scholarship.

Austin (Texas) Westlake five-star Cade Klubnik will join the Tigers’ quarterback room in January when he enrolls at Clemson after signing on Dec. 15. Meanwhile, quarterback/wide receiver Will Taylor is recovering from a season-ending ACL injury suffered in the first half of Clemson’s win over Boston College on Oct. 2.

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Clemson quarterback enters transfer portal

One of Clemson’s quarterbacks has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Taisun Phommachanh has entered the portal, The Clemson Insider has confirmed. Phommachanh played in six games this season, completing 57.9 percent of …

One of Clemson’s quarterbacks has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Taisun Phommachanh has entered the portal, The Clemson Insider has confirmed.

Phommachanh played in six games this season, completing 57.9 percent of his passes for 131 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 71 yards and another score on 11 carries.

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Taking inventory: Quarterback

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead. With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand …

Clemson still has a bowl game left to play this season, but it’s never too early to look ahead.

With the regular season in the books, TCI is taking some time to analyze how the Tigers performed at each position this fall and where the Tigers stand with each as the offseason quickly approaches. First up is quarterback.

A quick note first: This is where things currently stand with Clemson’s personnel at quarterback. With the one-time transfer rule and recruiting still in full effect, things are always subject to change. This story will be updated as needed to reflect any future modifications at the position.

2021 in review

Clemson didn’t get nearly the kind of production at quarterback that it’s grown accustomed to in recent years. Of course, when you’re going from a pair of top-10 overall draft picks (Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence) to a young first-year starter at the position, there’s bound to be some dropoff.

But D.J. Uiagalelei, a former blue-chip recruit himself, has struggled more than many expected, particularly after the flashes he showed in two spots starts a season ago against Boston College and Notre Dame (69% completion rate, 4 TDs, 0 INT).

Things started ominously for the sophomore signal caller against No. 1 Georgia when he completed just 51% of his passes, was sacked seven times and threw the decisive pick-six in Clemson’s 10-3 loss. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season since for Uiagalelei, who has tossed as many interceptions as touchdowns (9) and enters bowl season with the second-lowest completion percentage (x) among starting ACC quarterbacks.

There were some bright spots, too. He combined to complete 61% of his passes against Florida State and Louisville in comeback wins, leading fourth-quarter touchdown drives to help Clemson pull those off. He’s also thrown touchdowns of 32, 46 and 58 yards within the last four games, an indication of better touch and accuracy on the deep ball as the season has progressed. But whether it’s from Uiagalelei or someone else, consistency is what Clemson needs more of at the position going forward if it wants to get back to playing for championships.

Despite it not being there for most of the season, Uiagalelei’s backup, Taisun Phommachanh, never got a chance to lead the offense other than a series here and there. Even when Uiagalelei was benched early in the second half against Pittsburgh, that only lasted two series. More of a pure runner than Uiagalelei, Phommachanh finished the regular season 11 of 19 passing for 131 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He ran 11 times for 71 yards and another score.

Walk-ons Hunter Helms (South Carolina State and Connecticut) and Billy Wiles (Uconn) got some playing time in blowout wins, going a combined 7 of 17 passing. Wiles had a 25-yard touchdown pass late against UConn.

Who’s leaving?

No one at the moment

Who’s staying?

Uiagalelei, Phommachanh, Helms, Wiles

Who’s joining?

Five-star commit Cade Klubnik, who’s set to sign with Clemson later this month and enroll early

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Swinney gives a couple of injury updates

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gave a couple of injury updates following the Tigers’ practice Wednesday. During his post-practice media availability via Zoom, Swinney talked about the statuses of redshirt sophomore quarterback Taisun Phommachanh …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gave a couple of injury updates following the Tigers’ practice Wednesday.

During his post-practice media availability via Zoom, Swinney talked about the statuses of redshirt sophomore quarterback Taisun Phommachanh and sophomore wide receiver E.J. Williams.

Phommachanh did not play in last Saturday’s game vs. Wake Forest after suffering a shoulder injury in the UConn game on Nov. 13, while Williams also did not play against the Demon Deacons after injuring his leg during practice last week.

“I wish I could tell you 100 percent, but we’re better,” Swinney said regarding injuries. “Taisun was ready to go last week if needed, but would’ve been really limited. I think he’s a little better. (Freshman quarterback) Billy Wiles and (redshirt freshman QB) Hunter (Helms) have done a great job, have gotten a lot of work as well. E.J. is just, again, day-to-day.”

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Plenty at stake for Clemson in showdown with Wake Forest

The scenario for Clemson entering its final home game of the season is pretty cut and dry: Win or else. There’s still no guarantee the Tigers make it to their seventh straight ACC championship game even if the former happens. Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) …

The scenario for Clemson entering its final home game of the season is pretty cut and dry: Win or else.

There’s still no guarantee the Tigers make it to their seventh straight ACC championship game even if the former happens. Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) still needs Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0) to lose next week to Boston College and North Carolina State to lose at least one of its last two conference games.

But if the Tigers don’t take care of business against the 10th-ranked Demon Deacons today in a game Vegas actually has Clemson favored in, then nothing else matters. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for noon.

“We’re trying to stay alive,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We’re a wounded dog on the side of the road. We need a little help, but we’re still alive.”

While the ACC’s Atlantic Division race may be at the top of the list, it’s not the only thing at stake for the Tigers.

With a win, the Tigers’ senior class would finish 26-0 at home over the last four seasons, becoming the second straight group of seniors to go undefeated at Memorial Stadium during their playing careers in a four-year span. That hasn’t happened since the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration (1940-41) when Clemson was playing its home games at Riggs Field. Memorial Stadium didn’t open until 1942.

Clemson’s last loss at home happened back in 2016 against Pittsburgh, a game in which five “super seniors” on this year’s roster didn’t play. The Tigers have ripped off 33 straight home wins since, another streak they’re trying to keep going against Wake Forest. It’s the longest active home winning streak in the nation.

“We haven’t lost a game at home in like five years,” said one of those super seniors, linebacker James Skalski. “It’d be pretty cool to go out with the longest win streak at home and to keep it going not only for our class but next year and the year after that. Just keep the momentum going.”

Asked what the biggest reason is for Clemson’s success on its home turf, Skalski gave a nod to those who turn out to support the Tigers each fall.

“It’s a great stadium, but the fans make it what it is,” he said. “The energy they bring. The passion. It’s just a special place. You can feel it when you’re playing in the stadium. I’m going to miss it a lot when it’s done.”

In order to keep all of that in play, Clemson will have to play perhaps its most complete game against what Swinney called the most complete team the Tigers have seen all season. Wake Forest is enjoying its best season under eighth-year coach Dave Clawson, whose offense, led by fourth-year sophomore Sam Hartman, is scoring the second-most points in the country (44.7 per game). The Demon Deacons are the only team in the Football Bowl Subdivision that’s scored at least 35 in every game it’s played.

They’re balanced, too. While Wake Forest does a lot of its damage with big plays through the passing game (14th nationally in passing yards), the Demon Deacons also rank 50th in the FBS in rushing (180 yards per game).

Clemson will counter with the nation’s No. 3 scoring defense and a unit that’s yielded the fewest plays of 20 yards or more in the ACC. The Tigers had few problems slowing Hartman and company down last season in a 37-13 win, holding Wake Forest to 330 yards and one touchdown.

“The past is the past,” Skalski said. “That doesn’t mean anything. They’re a different. We’re a different team. It’s about can we execute right here and right now?”

Defensively is where Wake Forest struggles the most, but how much the banged-up Tigers are able to take advantage of that remains to be seen. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei is still battling a sprained knee, and his backup, Taisun Phommachanh, is questionable to play with a shoulder injury. Clemson will also be without its leading receiver, Justyn Ross (foot), whose college career may be over.

The running game should get a boost from the return of Clemson’s top two running backs, Will Shipley and Kobe Pace, as well as starting offensive lineman Will Putnam. The Tigers will try to bounce back from a 129-yard rushing performance against Connecticut last week — their 3.1 yards per carry tied for the fewest in the last five games — against a Wake Forest defense allowing more than 200 yards a game on the ground.

For the Tigers, it’s all about whatever it takes one last time this season at Death Valley, where all of Clemson’s league wins have come by 10 points or less.

“This is a huge game for a lot of reasons,” Swinney said.

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Clemson vs. Wake Forest: Who has the edge?

Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) will try to stay in contention in the ACC’s Atlantic Division in its showdown with No. 10 Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0) on Saturday. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for noon. The game will be televised by ESPN. Clemson’s defense …

Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) will try to stay in contention in the ACC’s Atlantic Division in its showdown with No. 10 Wake Forest (9-1, 6-0) on Saturday. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for noon. The game will be televised by ESPN.

Clemson’s defense vs. Wake Forest’s offense: Wake Forest has scored at least 35 points every week. Clemson’s defense hasn’t allowed more than 24 against anyone, and that includes Pittsburgh, a top-5 scoring offense nationally that put just 20 on the Tigers (a pick-six accounted for the Panthers’ seven other points). Wake Forest ranks in the top 50 nationally in points, yards, passing offense and rushing offense. Clemson, meanwhile, ranks in the top 30 in what it allows in each of those categories.

In other words, this is as much of a strength versus strength as you can get.

Wake’s offense is different than anything Clemson has seen with its slow mesh points, which can open up passing lanes over the middle and often create one-on-one matchups on the outside. Receivers A.T. Perry — all 6-foot-5 of him — and Jaquarii Roberson, who’ve combined for a whopping 20 touchdown receptions, have helped the Demon Deacons lead the country in passes of at least 30 yards.

But Clemson’s defense has been as good as any at preventing chunk plays. The Tigers have allowed the fewest of 20 yards or more in the ACC (34) and have allowed just 13 plays of at least 30 years. That’s in part because they’ve been good at disrupting the timing of opposing offenses at times, particularly in the backfield.

The Tigers are averaging 3.2 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, both top 15 nationally. Their top cornerback, Andrew Booth (stinger), is also expected to return Saturday after being held out as a precaution last week. He and Mario Goodrich have been arguably the ACC’s best corner tandem, a trend the Tigers will need to continue this weekend.

Clemson has also been the stingiest red-zone defense in the country, allowing just six touchdowns in 24 trips inside the 20-yard line for its opponents this season. Meanwhile, Wake Forest has scored 34 red-zone touchdowns as part of the nation’s seventh-most efficient offense in that part of the field.

You could make the argument the fact Wake Forest will have to deal with as much crowd noise as it has all season as the road team gives Clemson the edge here, but this is too close to call. Advantage: Draw

Clemson’s offense vs. Wake Forest’s defense: If you’re going strictly by the stats, you’d be hard-pressed to figure out who has the edge here, too. Offense has been the catalyst all season for Wake, which is giving up nearly 30 points on average and ranks 82nd or worse out of 130 FBS teams in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards allowed.

For Clemson, defense has been the constant. The Tigers aren’t any better than 83rd nationally in most major offensive statistical categories and have cracked the 20-point mark in regulation just twice in conference play this season.

Adding injury to insult is Clemson’s quarterback situation. D.J. Uiagalelei isn’t 100% as he continues to deal with the sprained knee he sustained against Louisville a couple of weeks back, and his backup, Taisun Phommachanh, is questionable for Saturday after an injury to his throwing shoulder ended his day early against UConn last week. 

Wake Forest’s defense is dealing with some injuries of its own. Cornerbacks Caelen Carson and Gavin Holmes didn’t play against N.C. State last week, and their status for Saturday is up in the air. But Clemson is also down its top three receivers with Justyn Ross (foot) now out for what may be the rest of the season. 

Clemson’s running game wasn’t anything to write home about against a bad UConn defense last week, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry against the Huskies. The Tigers will get its top two running backs back this week, including leading rusher Will Shipley, as well as guard Will Putnam along the offensive line. That should help a running game going against a Wake Forest defense allowing more than 200 yards on the ground on average.

But it’s hard to envision a scenario where Wake Forest doesn’t load the box in an effort to force Uiagalelei and this passing game for Clemson to beat the Demon Deacons if it can. Wake will still have to prove it can stop a more complete running game from Clemson, but can the Tigers make enough plays through the air to keep the Demon Deacons honest? Advantage: Draw

Special teams: Will Spiers and B.T. Potter, who’s rebounded with six straight made field goals after those three misses against Florida State, continue to be steady in the kicking game for Clemson. But Wake Forest’s Nick Sciba could finish as the sport’s most accurate kicker ever once his collegiate career is over. The senior is 16 of 18 on field goals this season, and his 89% success rate for his career is the third-highest mark in NCAA history.

In the return game, Wake’s Ja’Sir Taylor is averaging more than 26 yards on kick returns this season, including one that went for a 99-yard touchdown. That’s not great news for a Clemson coverage unit that struggled against UConn last week, including a 99-yard touchdown it allowed on the opening kickoff.

Bottom line: Clemson’s defense is the best Wake Forest has seen all season, and the Tigers will once again hold an explosive offense well below its season average in points. The question is can an ailing offense do enough for it to matter?

Prediction: Wake Forest 27, Clemson 22

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