NC State football game predictions: Clemson

For the first time since NC State’s thrilling 2021 double-overtime win, Clemson will return to Carter-Finley Stadium this weekend. Coming off a loss to Duke followed by a bye week, the Wolfpack hopes to bounce back against one of its largest rivals.

Clemson is also going to be motivated for this matchup. On top of the rivalry stakes, the Tigers lost their last game to Miami in overtime. This is their third ACC game in four matchups on the road.

NC State and Clemson will kick off at 2 p.m. on the CW Network. Both teams are 4-3 heading into the final 5 games of the regular season. Here are TheWolfpacker.com’s predictions for the Saturday afternoon showdown.

Ethan McDowell’s prediction for NC State vs. Clemson

NC State could make a significant statement Saturday. During the bye week, the Pack rested up and focused on the details. Against Clemson, the team will prioritize cutting out the penalties, drops and other mistakes that held the program back in the loss to Duke.

The Tigers are averaging 30.4 points per game. In matchups against Power Five opponents, that number drops to 19.8. Both Duke and Wake Forest held Clemson to fewer than 20 points. To defend Carter-Finley Stadium with a Textile Bowl victory, NC State will have to put forth a similar defensive effort.

Clemson’s defensive line is very talented, led by Tyler Davis and his elite 90.3 Pro Football Focus (PFF) run defense grade, and Nate Wiggins is a shutdown cornerback in the secondary. Unless the offense takes dramatic steps forward after the bye week, this will likely have to be a defensive battle for the Pack.

Containing running backs  Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, who have combined to rush for 849 yards this season, is the first step toward slowing Clemson down. Quarterback Cade Klubnik is coming off a solid performance against Miami as well, and he has the arm talent to test the Pack secondary.

The turnover battle will be critical here. Clemson ranks dead last nationally with 10 lost fumbles. Klubnik has only thrown 3 interceptions this season, but NC State is tied for No. 2 in the conference with 8 picks.

The Wolfpack also boasts a significant advantage in placekicking. Clemson has only hit one field goal beyond 40 yards this season. If NC State’s defense can bend and not break, keeping the explosive plays to a minimum while holding the Tigers to field goals, then this game should be much closer than the 10-point spread.

With that said, Clemson’s talented running back rotation has the talent to break off a couple of explosive plays, and its stout defense will present quite a few challenges to the Pack offense, leading to a narrow defeat.

Prediction: Clemson 17, NC State 14

Previous predictions: 

Duke 17, NC State 16 (Actual: Duke 24, NC State 3)
NC State 27, Marshall 13 (Actual: NC State 48, Marshall 41)
NC State 31, Louisville 30 (Actual: Louisville 13, NC State 10)
NC State 31, UVA 13 (Actual: NC State 24, UVA 21)
NC State 45, VMI 0 (Actual: NC State 45, VMI 7)
Notre Dame 27, NC State 20 (Actual: Notre Dame 45, NC State 24)
NC State 24, UConn 10 (Actual: NC State 24, UConn 14)

Noah Fleischman’s prediction

NC State has a chance to make some noise in the ACC this weekend, and it would come through handing Clemson its fourth league loss of the season. 

The Pack is coming off of its bye week after the 24-3 loss at Duke. The extra time to prepare for the Tigers will serve the Wolfpack well this weekend. 

NC State’s defense will take advantage of turnovers, which will set the Wolfpack up for short fields. If the offense cannot get into the end zone, Doeren and the Pack will settle for any points they can put up on the board.  

Both teams boast elite defenses — and both teams’ offenses have struggled at times — but the crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium will be the game changer for NC State. That, coupled with kicker Brayden Narveson’s leg, will propel the Wolfpack over the Tigers for just the second time under coach Dave Doeren.

Prediction: NC State 19, Clemson 13

Previous Predictions:

NC State 24, Duke 20 (Actual: Duke 24, NC State 3)
NC State 24, Marshall 10 (Actual: NC State 48, Marshall 41)
Louisville 35, NC State 21 (Actual: Louisville 13, NC State 10)
NC State 31, UVA 10 (Actual: NC State 24, UVA 21)
NC State 52, VMI 3 (Actual: NC State 45, VMI 7)