Scouting Clemson’s next opponent: NC State Wolfpack

Game info

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583); Raleigh, N.C.

TV: ABC

Line: Clemson by 7

Three story lines

1. This game will almost assuredly decide the ACC Atlantic as N.C. State is 4-0 in the ACC, Clemson is 5-1 and every other team in the division is .500 or worse.

2. Clemson has won five consecutive games in the series and 12 out of 13. The Tigers’ only recent loss came in 2011 when Clemson was 9-1 and ranked No. 7 before suffering a 37-13 loss to the Wolfpack.

3. The College Football Playoff rankings come out this week and Clemson is battling for a spot in the top four. The Tigers can greatly strengthen their resume with another top 20 road win.

Three players to watch

1. Running back Nyheim Hines leads N.C. State with 654 rushing yards and has six touchdowns. The junior injured his ankle in the Wolfpack’s last game against Notre Dame, but it is not believed to be serious.

2. Junior quarterback Ryan Finley is fourth in the ACC in passing, averaging 273 yards per game. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes to only one interception and has also rushed for 59 yards and a score.

3. Senior Jaylen Samuels does it all for N.C. State. He leads the Wolfpack in rushing touchdowns with seven and receptions with 56. He is also tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with three.

Scouting report

<bullet> N.C. State had won six consecutive games before losing this past Saturday at Notre Dame. The Wolfpack entered the season as a sleeper team to win the ACC after five of their six losses came by a touchdown or less last season.

<bullet> N.C. State has done a great job taking care of the football, forcing 11 turnovers while committing only four through eight games.

<bullet> The Wolfpack have a fierce defensive front, led by Bradley Chubb, who leads the ACC in sacks with 7.5.

Matt Connolly

This story was originally published October 29, 2017 at 6:51 PM.