The ACC has six undefeated teams -- four in the Atlantic -- and two will square off Saturday night as the NC State Wolfpack host the Clemson Tigers. Television coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Clemson vs. NC State 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
The 2013 Textile Bowl finds perhaps the ACC’s best team in a tough Thursday night road game.
Both teams are coming off of bye weeks after wins against FCS opponents, but their respective 2-0 records could not look more different. Clemson beat a top-5 Georgia team 38-35 in Week 1, as Tajh Boyd had five total touchdowns in an impressive victory. North Carolina State looked good as well, defeating what was thought to be a good Louisiana Tech team (since exploited with a close win over Lamar and a home loss to Tulane) 40-14.
In the second week, things looked markedly different for these two squads. The Tigers strolled to a 52-13 win over South Carolina State, while the Wolfpack needed a last-minute field goal to beat Richmond 23-21.
Either way -- it’s showtime for these two programs, who will look to join Florida State and Boston College as Atlantic teams undefeated in conference play.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Clemson is ranked third in the nation, while NC State is unranked. Both teams are 2-0 on the year. The Tigers hold the all-time series lead, 52-28-1. They have won eight of the past nine matchups between the two schools.
Vegas: Clemson is a 14-point favorite on the road. The over/under is 66 points. OddsShark has more.
Weather: A high of 84, low of 65, mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain.
Three names to know
Tajh Boyd. The Heisman candidate threw just 23 passes against South Carolina State, but his 270-yard, three-touchdown passing performance (with two more scores on the ground) against Georgia won his team the game.
Sammy Watkins. Boyd's top target and one of the best receivers in the nation, the Wolfpack are going to have to lock down Watkins if they have any hope of securing the home upset.
Jarvis Byrd. That may depend in large part on safety Byrd, who has two forced fumbles on the young year and will be looked upon to provide some turnovers on Saturday.
Two things at stake
Clemson has national title hopes, and first has to win the ACC Atlantic. Any slip up would give Florida State an opportunity to take the lead in the standings.
New NC State head coach Dave Doeren wants to start his ACC conference play career out with a win and show that his Wolfpack team is for real.
How to witness
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, David Pollock and Samantha Ponder will be the crew.
Radio: Here’s a list of Clemson radio affiliates. And here’s one for NC State.
Online streaming: WatchESPN.
Further reading
For all your Clemson analysis, previews and more, head to Shakin The Southland. For the NC State side of things, visit Backing the Pack.
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