Clemson vs. Wake Forest Prediction, Game Preview

The Clemson Tigers (10-0) will put their perfect mark on the line when the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-7) visit this weekend. Check out the Clemson vs. Wake Forest prediction and game preview.

Clemson vs. Wake Forest Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 21
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

After escaping Syracuse in a tougher-than-expected game at the Carrier Dome, top-ranked Clemson has three hurdles left to a playoff berth. If the Tigers can take care of business as a heavy favorite in upcoming games with Wake Forest and South Carolina, they’ll enter the ACC Championship Game, likely versus North Carolina, with a perfect mark. The Demon Deacons, who’ve won three games in each of the first two years of the Dave Clawson era, are hungry for a breakthrough moment. A trip to Death Valley provides the staff and the kids with a much-needed shot at shocking the college football world.

Why Wake Forest Will Win

If the Deacons had an offense to match their D, they’d already be bowl-bound. Wake actually outgained Notre Dame in last week’s loss, 340-282, testament to its defensive scrappiness. The Deacons won’t shut Clemson down, but they can slow the Tigers down by getting after the line of scrimmage with linebackers Brandon Chubb, Marquel Lee and Hunter Williams charging hard from the second level.

Why Clemson Will Win

Even if the Tigers fail to reach their 38-point scoring average, it’ll be enough to outscore the puttering Demon Deacons. Winston-Salem is home to one of the ACC’s worst offenses, a disheveled unit averaging 15 points against FBS opponents. Wake Forest won’t have a prayer of sustaining drives against a loaded Clemson defense that’ll play with something to prove after yielding a handful of big rushing plays last week to Syracuse.

Player Who Matters

Clemson RB Wayne Gallman, QB Deshaun Watson’s backfield mate, rolled his ankle last week in the Carrier Dome and is a question mark this Saturday. He could play, but senior Zac Brooks should still enjoy more than his usual four or five touches. Brooks has shown a spark off the bench throughout his career, encouraging news since the Tigers can ill-afford to be shorthanded or unbalanced against the plucky Wake Forest defense.

What’s Going To Happen?

Wake Forest can be feisty, as Florida State would attest after only beating the Deacons by eight points on Oct. 3. But until they can score with more frequency, the Deacons will be no more than a 20 or 25-minute threat. Clemson will pull away in time behind Watson and his eclectic mix of targets. And Wake playing with a deficit versus the Tiger D is a blueprint for turnovers.

Wake Forest vs. Clemson Prediction

Final Score: Clemson 35, Wake Forest 13, Line: Clemson -29, o/u: 49
Must See Rating: 5: The Night Before … 1: Donny! … 2.5