Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney knows that containing NC State’s potent rushing attack will be priority number one for his defense when the two ACC foes face off this Saturday. In his weekly press conference, Swinney emphasized that the Wolfpack’s ground game is the engine that makes their offense go.
“This is a team that will be able to run the ball when it is all said and done. This is what they have always have been able to do. They also can create explosive plays through the run game.”
Dabo Swinney
Swinney’s analysis is spot on. In 2023, NC State ranked 27th nationally in rushing offense, averaging over 156.5 yards per game. In 2024, the Wolfpack has averaged 131.3 yards per game. They will look to impose their will at the line of scrimmage and wear down Clemson’s front seven as the game goes on.
However, Clemson’s defense is uniquely equipped to counter NC State’s smashmouth style. The Tigers were preseason ranked 4th in the nation on defense. The defensive line, anchored by future NFL draft picks T.J Parker and Peter Woods, is one of the most disruptive units in college football.
Linebacker Barrett Carter is a heat-seeking missile against the run. The speedy senior has a nose for the football and excels at shooting gaps to make plays in the backfield. If Carter and his fellow linebackers can consistently beat NC State’s offensive linemen to the point of attack, it will be a long day for the Wolfpack offense.
While Swinney is laser-focused on shutting down the run, he can’t sell out to stop it completely. With NC State’s starting quarterback Grayson McCall sidelined due to an injury sustained in the game against Louisiana Tech, the Wolfpack’s offense will now be under the command of true freshman CJ Bailey. Bailey, who stepped in to lead a comeback victory over Louisiana Tech, showed promise, completing 13 of 20 passes for 156 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Despite his inexperience, Bailey’s performance suggests he can exploit Clemson’s defense if they overcommit to the run. His presence means Swinney’s defense will have to be wary of the play-action pass, as Bailey looks to establish himself in this high-pressure ACC showdown.
When he [CJ Bailey] came into the game he breathed life into their offense. You could tell those guys believe in him and his ability. His team rallied around him and responded to his leadership and he got more comfortable as the game went along.
Wes Goodwin
Ultimately, this strength-on-strength matchup in the trenches will likely decide the game. If Clemson can make NC State one-dimensional by shutting down their rushing attack, Swinney’s squad should be able to escape with a hard-fought victory. But if the Wolfpack offensive line can pave the way for the ground game, NC State will have a great chance to pull off the upset.
No matter the outcome, Dabo Swinney and his coaching staff have identified NC State’s running game as the key to the matchup. How effectively Clemson’s defense executes their game plan will determine whether the Tigers keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
The much-anticipated ACC clash between Clemson and NC State will kick off at noon Eastern Time on Saturday, September 21st. The game will be nationally televised on ABC from the iconic Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina
