Clemson Football: North Carolina Game Preview

Clemson is looking to avoid a losing record in conference play as North Carolina comes to town for their final ACC game of 2023.

This game is a matchup that many assumed would be a top-25 matchup before the season but both teams have suffered disappointing losses along the way. With that said, North Carolina comes in at No. 20 with an NFL talent at quarterback in Drake Maye.

North Carolina snapped a two-game losing streak with a 47-45 double overtime win against rivals Duke this past weekend. The balance of this offense makes it special. The Tar Heels are second in the ACC in rushing and first in passing offense.

Tyler Brown will need to be big for Clemson against Georgia Tech / Clemson Athletics

Sophomore RB Omorian Hampton has 1,236 rushing yards to go along with 13 touchdowns. The next closest rusher in the ACC is 260 yards away. Hampton has been used heavily in high-stakes games. Expect him to be relied on heavily against this stout Clemson defense. Transfer WR Tez Walker has been as good as advertised in the six games. He has gained over 100+ yards with 6+ receptions in three of those games.

Expect some fatigue from this Tar Heel team that has been in battles in the past three weeks. Last week's double-overtime victory had to take a toll on the body. Clemson on the other hand has found their stride, playing like an ACC contender these past two weeks.

The offense has finally found its groove by leaning on the running game with Will Shipley and Phil Mafah. The wide receiver duo of Beaux Collins and Tyler Brown has grown into itself. Cade Klubnik is continuing to grow week by week, as well.

The defense has been elite all year, there is no question about that. The freshman contributors in the secondary having the big day as they did against Georgia Tech just adds another layer to this already deep unit. This will be Nate Wiggins' biggest game for NFL scouts with the matchup with Tez Walker at hand. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will look to help out in any way like he has this season to shut down Drake Maye and to have 81,000+ fans rocking Memorial Stadium one last time this season.