Clemson Tiger Football: Keys To Victory Over The N.C. State Wolfpack

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The Clemson Tigers are just two victories away from their first shot at an ACC Championship Game, and possibly their first ACC title since 1991. 

Tigers fans have been here before, though, when Tommy Bowden and Co. were the masters of building up hope.

Bowden would accumulate wins against superior competition, setting them up for a run at the title, only to follow it up with a disastrous loss to a mediocre team.

It was almost as if they enjoyed ripping the hearts out of Clemson faithful.

But new head coach Dabo Swinney has given this Tigers team an attitude adjustment, and fans are hopeful that the past does not come back to haunt them. 

The next step to redemption is a game with N.C State, and this is how they can beat them on Saturday.

Eliminate Mistakes

The amount of mistakes in the game against Florida St. was ridiculous.  Regardless of the final score, it was sloppy and showed that they are susceptible to losing to a team with less talent.  This is how Clemson has lost its way in the past, and for them to get to the ACCCG, the turnovers, penalties and mental mistakes must be corrected.

Spencer Benton

He will be Clemson's kicker this weekend due to an academic violation by Richard Jackson.  If you watched the game against Florida St., you saw Jackson miss three extra points and two possible field goals.  Benton missed an extra point.  It's all mental at this point, so hopefully Benton can get his act together before kickoff.

Contain Russell Wilson

The Wolfpack's best player is their quarterback Russell Wilson.  He is very mobile, so the Tigers will need to keep contain and not let him extend drives with his legs.

Spiller Time

N.C. State has given up almost 40 points per game over the last four games, and 158 yards rushing.   Clemson just happens to have the most exciting player in the country, runningback C.J. Spiller.  Offensive coordinator Billy Napier should run the ball like he did again the Seminoles, and absolutely destroy the weak Wolfpack defense.

Feel the urgency

From the opening kickoff, the Tigers should fight like their lives on the line.  They cannot let the Wolfpack stick around, because that is how upsets are born.

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