The race to the top of the ACC heats up this weekend as Clemson visits Wake Forest in a pivotal game Saturday. The bowl picture will take shape after this weekend, and both schools will be playing for a chance to prove they belong near the top of a crowded ACC pack.
Clemson (5-3, 3-2 ACC) held on last week to beat North Carolina, 36-28, on a 100-yard kickoff return by wideout Derrick Hamilton. That win over the Tar Heels, coupled with a Maryland loss, moved Clemson among the teams tied for second place in the ACC. They join Virginia, N.C. State, Georgia Tech and Maryland with two losses in conference play, and are trail only to the 6-0 Seminoles.
Lurking close behind are the Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-3). After being picked apart by Florida State, 48-24, last weekend, Wake Forest returns home to Grove Stadium in a must-win game against Clemson. Under the tutelage of coach and Virginia alumnus Jim Grobe, Wake Forest has turned around its program and has been bowl eligible three of the last four years. But Grobe knows no bowl is guaranteed in this year's congested ACC.
"Two years ago, we were 6-5 and did not get a bowl invitation," Grobe said. "Last year we were 6-6 and were fortunate to get in. So our guys know what's at stake. We obviously have to win at least two more to even have a chance. But two more may not do it. Now we're trying to focus on Clemson. Our guys understand what we have to do in these next four football games, but if we don't play well against Clemson, they don't matter."
In order to defeat the dangerous Tigers, Wake Forest will have to establish their potent running game early. The Deacons have returned to form from their early season rushing woes to rank 35th in the division with 177 yards rushing per game. Running back Chris Barclay has returned from an early season injury to rumble to two 100-yard games against UNC and Georgia Tech.
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden will have to rely on the solid play of his linebackers to stop the Wake rushing attack. Junior linebacker Leroy Hill is ranked among the top 15 in the nation in tackles for a loss, tackles and solo tackles per game. Hill and his fellow linebackers will have to cover their assignments closely against the shifty Wake running attack.
"Their running statistics are better than their passing statistics, the only team in the ACC where that is the case," Bowden said. "I'd say our front four and the two linebackers have to play well, simply because their rushing statistics are better."
On the other side of the ball, Clemson's attack will look for balance behind the arm of sophomore quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and a group of backs that rushed for 219 yards against UNC last weekend. It was the resilient Whitehurst's pass that gave the Tigers a walk-off victory over the Cavaliers in overtime this year.
Grobe will have his defense focused to stop the potent Clemson offense.
"If they can keep you off-balance by running the football and mixing up the throws, then you've got some problems because they have so much talent," he said.
Whitehurst will be helped by his trio of dangerous receivers, Airese Currie, Kevin Youngblood and Derrick Hamilton. The three have combined for 114 catches for 1,525 yards already this season.
With a Clemson loss and Virginia win at NC State, the Cavaliers could take sole possession of second place in the ACC. But in this year's swarming conference, no outcome can be taken for granted.
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