For the second straight year, the ACC Championship will feature a team that will be in the College Football Playoff if it wins. That’s Clemson, which has topped the Playoff rankings every week en route to an undefeated season, which includes wins over both Notre Dame and Florida State.
North Carolina vs. Clemson, 2015 ACC Championship: Time, TV schedule, live stream and 3 things to know
This one could blow up the Playoff.
The Tigers finally put everything together for their first undefeated season under Dabo Swinney. The defense isn’t lock-down like it has been in the past, but it has tons of playmakers and it’s been able to contain power offenses, like Notre Dame’s. The offense has been incredible behind Heisman contending quarterback Deshaun Watson. This Clemson team doesn’t fit the stereotype of past teams — it is legitimately the best team in the country. That presents quite the challenge for North Carolina, which has been dominant in its own right this season.
The Tar Heels seem to disappoint every year, failing to take advantage in the often-middling ACC Coastal. It looked like more of the same this year after a season-opening loss to South Carolina. However, North Carolina then went on a roll, winning the rest of its games and sweeping its ACC slate. The Tar Heels still aren’t getting much respect due to that South Carolina loss and a putrid schedule that included two FCS teams, but the offense is for real.
Now the question is whether the UNC offense can keep up with Clemson’s. Nobody else has been able to this year, but nobody else plays with the tempo of the Tar Heels.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Radio: Clemson, North Carolina
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Clemson is favored by 6 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Shakin The Southland for Clemson fans and Tar Heel Blog for North Carolina fans.
Three big things to know
1. It’s unknown whether Clemson needs to win this game to make the College Football Playoff. The Tigers have been a solid No. 1 all season, but do they drop below, say, Ohio State or Stanford if they lose this game?
2. North Carolina’s place will also be interesting to consider. If the Tar Heels win, can they get anywhere close to the Playoff? The committee doesn’t seem to like their schedule to this point, or their loss, but would a conference championship and a win over Clemson sneak them in?
3. North Carolina’s offense has been outstanding, but can it continue against a defense like Clemson’s? That matchup could decide this game.
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