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#16 NC State vs. #3 Clemson: Stream, keys, and predictions

By Eric Robinson

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: Teammates Dylan Autenrieth #42, Ryan Finley #15 and Kelvin Harmon #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack react after a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: Teammates Dylan Autenrieth #42, Ryan Finley #15 and Kelvin Harmon #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack react after a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers #90 celebrates a tackle against the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #90 of the Clemson Tigers #90 celebrates a tackle against the Kent State Golden Flashes on September 2, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images) /

Clemson Keys To Victory

The Front Four: Ladies and gentlemen, meet the best defensive line in college football. The combination of defensive ends Clelin Ferrell/Austin Bryant and defensive tackles Christian Wilkins/Dexter Lawrence has combined for 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks so far this season. There is a reason why Ferrell, Wilkins, and Bryant were AP All-Americans last season and why Ferrell, Wilkins, and Lawrence were preseason All-Americans this season. This front four is capable of creating havoc for Finley and the Wolfpack offensive line. Keep in mind that NC State is second in FBS with a sack allowed ever 94 pass attempts. Which is excellent in it’s own right.

Third Down Defense: The North Carolina State offense leads the FBS in third down conversions on offense with a 60.8% conversion rate. A lot of that has to do with having such an experienced quarterback in Ryan Finley. That also plays a huge part in the Wolfpack offense being ranked 11th in time-of-possession per game. The Clemson defense has held opponents under 50% third down conversion in each game this season and all of 2017, including their losses. This is a very notable element for the Clemson defense.

Steady Trevor: Up to this point in the season, this is probably the most talent that freshman Trevor Lawrence will see across from him. We are all aware of Lawrence’s ability as a passer but in this one, with so much on the line, Lawrence will not have to win this one on his own. He has a productive foursome at receiver in Tee Higgins, Amari Rodgers, Justyn Ross, and Hunter Renfrow as all four has combined for 71 catches and nine touchdowns this season. He has a defense that matches up well against a North Carolina State offense. Lawrence should approach this calm and collected but a mistake late by a young, inexperienced quarterback can be costly against a veteran-led Wolfpack team.

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