North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers Complete Game Preview

After a heartbreaking loss in Tallahassee, the Clemson Tigers will look to get things back on track this Saturday against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The Tar Heels are also looking to turn things around after an embarrassing performance in Saturday’s 70-41 loss to East Carolina.

This is an important conference game for both teams, but especially for Clemson. The Tigers can’t afford another loss within the ACC with Florida State controlling its own destiny at this point.

North Carolina's Keys to Victory

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Play Well in Pass Defense

After Saturday’s performance, this Tar Heel defense has to play much better to compete in this game. The offense is averaging 42.7 points per game through three games, so scoring isn’t the problem. North Carolina has given up 787 passing yards in its last two games, so that issue must be addressed this week.

Force Turnovers

One way to make up for bad defense is by forcing turnovers. Winning the turnover battle will be essential for North Carolina, which has turned it over six times so far this season.

Clemson's Keys to Victory

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Attack Offensively

This is a Tar Heel defense that gave up 789 total yards to East Carolina, with 446 of those yards coming through the air. The Tigers can put up solid numbers offensively if they attack this North Carolina defense that is giving up an average of 42.0 points per game this season.

Win the Line of Scrimmage

The Tigers were able to control the line of scrimmage against Florida State, and it resulted in only 13 total rushing yards for the Seminoles, including sacks. The Tigers will win on Saturday if they can run the football and get pressure on North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams.

Make Field Goals

Special teams is probably the biggest question mark for the Tigers moving forward. Ammon Lakip missed two field goals on Saturday, and one of the kicks wasn't even close. Whether it’s Lakip or punter Bradley Pinion, the Tigers will need to make field goals if this game is close in the fourth quarter.

North Carolina Players to Watch

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Marquise Williams

Williams will face one of the best defensive lines in all of college football. The Tigers were able to keep pressure on Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire for the majority of the game, resulting in two interceptions.

Williams’ ability to run against the Tigers' front four will be a very interesting matchup in this game. He leads the Tar Heels in rushing with 152 yards.

Tim Scott

The entire defense has to improve, but the secondary will be the focus in this game. The leader of this unit is Scott, the senior safety, so we expect him to make plays for the Tar Heels moving forward. He is the only starting senior in the defensive backfield, so his leadership will be important in a road conference game.

Clemson Players to Watch

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Deshaun Watson

With Watson being named the starter, he becomes the most important player for the Tigers on Saturday. All eyes will be on the true freshman as he makes his first career start. For the Tigers to win, they need Watson to play without major turnovers.

Wayne Gallman/Adam Choice

I used this pair of running backs in last week’s article, but once again I feel that the Tigers will need to establish the run game with them. Gallman and Choice only combined for 15 yards against Florida State, but they could get things going Saturday. The Tar Heels allowed 343 rushing yards versus East Carolina.

Tigers' Front Four

Like we mentioned in the previous slide, Williams is capable of doing damage with his legs. The front four for the Tigers will not only have to get pressure on Williams, but also contain him in the pocket.

What They're Saying

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Clemson

Offensive coordinator Chad Morris on the quarterback battle: Per David Hood of TigerNet.com, Morris said, “We’ve said from the get-go there’s no lifetime contract.”

Morris on what he expects Saturday: Per Hood, Morris also said, “It will be a very electric environment Saturday night to get No. 4 on the field and let him go.”

North Carolina

According to a tweet from Andrew Carter of the Charlotte Observer, North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora said of Clemson, "They're good." He also said the team "didn't get beat" against Florida State.

Predicted Outcome

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North Carolina’s defense just isn’t ready to keep up right now. Although the Tigers lost Saturday, things still went well offensively. Clemson was able to rack up 407 total yards against a Florida State defense full of future NFL talent.

Williams, who has thrown three interceptions this season, can be forced into mistakes, and the Tigers' front four is capable of forcing turnovers.

Clemson is in need of a statement win on Saturday, so expect the focus and energy to be high in this game.

Prediction: Clemson 38, North Carolina 17