Three players that Clemson will need a big game from to beat North Carolina
Another ranked team is coming into Clemson this weekend and the Tigers have a real opportunity to cement the momentum they've been building over the last couple of weeks. It hasn't been the most joyous year for Tiger fans but ending conference play on a high note would go a long way towards getting ready for 2024.
Anytime you have to beat a good team like the Tarheels, even at home, it will take a complete team effort. However, we're going to look at three specific players we think will need to step up to clinch Clemson's 13th-straight winning season.
Cade Klubnik will need to be big for Clemson on Saturday.
1. Cade Klubnik
Klubnik had arguably his best game this season last week by just taking the plays that were in front of him. He was consistent with his throws and while he did have one pick there wasn't the momentum-swinging moment that he's been prone to giving up in the past. This isn't so much saying he needs to throw for 300 yards and post a tremendous stat line but more so needs to remain calm and not get over his head. If he can protect the ball and give the offense a chance to produce their usual long, deliberate drives then that keeps Drake Maye off the field and probably points on the Tigers' side of the scoreboard.
2. Aveion Terrell
This could easily go to any of the young secondary players that are sure to play on Saturday but Terrell will most likely get the start at cornerback. The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons star AJ Terrell knows that an experienced QB like Maye will look to take advantage of him and stay away from whoever Nate Wiggins is covering. UNC is averaging nearly 322 passing yards a game, which ranks No. 8 in the nation, so any defensive success for the Tigers will depend heavily on how much they defend guys like Tez Walker when the ball is in the air.
3. Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
With Barrett Carter a little banged up and considered day-to-day, the spotlight falls on Trotter to be the main orchestrator of this defense against a balanced offensive attack. Everyone knows about Drake Maye, but they may not know that they are also averaging nearly 199 yards rushing per game, which ranks 18th in the country overall. Trotter will have to be at his best when it comes to communicating the calls and reading whatever Mack Brown's offense will throw at him. If Clemson can attempt to make UNC a one-dimensional offense by stuffing the run with its front seven, they should have a chance a repeating last year's ACC Championship performance.
