College Football Preview – Clemson Tigers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons can lock up the ACC Atlantic and keep their thin College Football Playoff hopes alive with a win over the Clemson Tigers this week. However, they are underdogs according to the oddsmakers despite coming into this contest with a record of 9-1 and no losses in ACC play. A win in either of the next two weeks will send the Demon Deacons to the ACC Championship Game where they will likely face the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers will play host to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 12 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

College Football Betting Odds

Wake Forest +4.5

Clemson -4.5

Total 56.5

Dave Clawson has done a superb job at Wake Forest. He has won at one of the toughest places in the Power Five to win, and the Demon Deacons have a good chance of winning just their third ACC title in program history. They have had some struggles though, beating Louisville, Syracuse, and North Carolina State by a field goal each.

Clemson has not been its typical self this season. The Tigers have struggled on offense, leading to three losses. The defense has Clemson in position to potentially win the division once again if Wake Forest stumbles the next two weeks though.

When Wake Forest Has the Ball

The mesh has made Wake Forest one of the most dangerous offenses in the nation. Sam Hartman has thrown for 3,163 yards and 30 touchdowns against only eight interceptions, and he has only been sacked 16 times despite holding on to the ball for extended periods in this scheme.

Four different players including Hartman have more than 325 rushing yards, and the Demon Deacons have run for 25 touchdowns too. They are averaging 4.5 YPC as a team. A.T. Perry and Jaquarii Roberson have been a dangerous receiving tandem, combining to catch 98 passes for 1,778 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Clemson has one of the best defenses in the nation. The Tigers are allowing just 16.7 PPG and 4.3 yards per play, ranking in the top seven in both categories. Brent Venables knows how to scheme players into great positions, and they have lived up to their pedigree.

When Clemson Has the Ball

It’s clear that D.J. Uiagalelei does not have what it takes to be a star quarterback at this level. He is completing less than 55% of his passes for 5.8 YPA with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. No one has been able to supplant Uiagalelei though, so expect the Tigers to make upgrading this position a priority in the offseason.

Will Shipley and Kobe Pace didn’t suit up last week against Connecticut, but Clemson’s two leading rushers are expected to take the field against Wake Forest on Saturday. Unfortunately, leading receiver Justyn Ross is likely out for the season though as he injured his foot in the win over the Huskies and will undergo surgery.

The Demon Deacons have not been good on defense this season. They are surrendering 30.6 PPG and 452.1 YPG. Wake Forest’s front seven can be run on, as they are allowing 5.0 YPC and 209.1 YPG, so Clemson can establish the ground game.

Prediction

This has been a disappointing season for Clemson, but the Tigers will get out some of their frustrations with a resounding win over the Demon Deacons at home.

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