First look: Top story lines, betting odds for Clemson vs Louisville football game
For the third time this year, Clemson avoided back-to-back losses and used two late touchdowns to beat Florida State 30-20 on Saturday. The Tigers will go back on the road for the fourth time in five games to play at Louisville. The Cardinals now share a common loss with the Tigers after falling to N.C. State 28-13 over the weekend in Raleigh, N.C.
CLEMSON VS. LOUISVILLE GAME, TV INFO
Who: Clemson (5-3, 4-2 ACC) vs. Louisville (4-4, 2-3)
Where: Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Ky.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: ACC Network
VEGAS ODDS: CLEMSON-LOUISVILLE POINT SPREAD
Clemson opened as a 3½-point favorite over Louisville. Outside of the season opener against Georgia, it’s the lowest spread for the this season Tigers, who reached 30 points in regulation against an FBS opponent on Saturday for the first time this year. The last time the two teams played, the Tigers downed the Cardinals 45-10 on the road in 2019.
CLEMSON GROUND GAME GOING
Clemson’s running backs are young, but they don’t mind stepping up in a pinch. Freshmen Will Shipley and Phil Mafah provided the Tigers with a 1-2 punch out of the backfield Saturday, combining for 197 rushing yards. Mafah had a career-high 63-yard run during a first-half Clemson drive that ended in a touchdown, while Shipley had a career-high 128 rushing yards and scored the Tigers’ go-ahead TD with less than five minutes to go in the game.
The two freshmen managed to take care of the run game in the absence of sophomore Kobe Pace, who was in COVID-19 protocol. Pace was the team’s leading rusher prior to Saturday’s contest. Where some parts of Clemson’s offense has been shaky, the three young running backs have been viable options and have accounted for nine of the Tigers’ 17 total touchdowns.
LOUISVILLE’S LATE STRUGGLES
Louisville has lost three of its last four ACC games, falling to .500 on the year. In two of those three contests, which were N.C. State and Virginia, the Cardinals led going into the fourth quarter. The other loss was to Wake Forest, where the two teams were tied heading into the final minute of the game. In total, the Cardinals have been outscored 52-23 in the fourth quarter during those losses with 17 points coming against the Demon Deacons.
When playing against a Clemson team whose calling card has been late-game scores and game-ending thrillers, Louisville will have its hands full trying to avoid being the Tigers’ fifth victim.
THREE LOUISVILLE CARDINALS TO WATCH
Malik Cunningham, QB: A team’s offense should always run through the quarterback, and truer words couldn’t be said for the Cardinals. Malik Cunningham is essentially the team’s offense as the passing and rushing leader with 1,903 and 556 yards, respectively, for an average of 307.4 yards per outing.
Yasir Abdullah, LB: Considered somewhat of an underrated player coming into the season, Yasir Abdullah has carved out a space for himself on the Cardinals’ defense. He’s currently fourth in the ACC in quarterback sacks with six and has 34 total tackles, 10 for loss.
C.J Avery, LB: C.J. Avery is making the most of his fifth season at Louisville. He leads the Cardinals in tackles with 53, four for loss, to go along with two quarterback sacks.
THREE CLEMSON TIGERS TO WATCH
Xavier Thomas, DE: Despite not starting against Florida State, Thomas was still a factor in the game against the Seminoles, totaling four tackles, a quarterback sack and forced fumble. This week, he and the Tigers’ defense will be tasked with trying to stop another dual-threat quarterback in Malik Cunningham.
Joseph Ngata, WR: Having been out because of COVID-19 protocol, Joseph Ngata returned to the field this past weekend against the Seminoles. He was the second-leading receiver with 52 yards on three catches and will look to continue building chemistry with quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei this week on the road.
Davis Allen, TE: After earning a starting spot four games into the season, Davis Allen has taken steps toward being a consistent pass catcher for Uiagalelei while also working on his blocking. Last weekend, he caught an 11-yard TD pass in the back corner of the end zone for the Tigers’ first score of the game.
