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    Can Tigers avoid the trap game?

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

    CLEMSON – Clemson football looks to win its fifth straight game this weekend.

    The no. 11 Tigers (4-1, 3-0 ACC) face Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Clemson hopes to win its 16th straight game against the Demon Deacons.

    Here’s what you should know about the matchup:

    Clemson football is the best first quarter team in FBS

    Clemson has the best point differential in the country in the first quarter, averaging 18 points (most in FBS) and zero points (tied with Texas and Indiana). During its four-game winning streak, it has dominated teams in the first 15 minutes, forcing opponents to play from behind.

    In the first quarter, Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik went 32 of 44 for 559 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns (three rushing). Clemson recorded three sacks in the first quarter and forced five turnovers and 10 punts.

    What you should know about Wake Forest and quarterback Hank Bachmeier

    Wake Forest lost its opening game 45-13 to North Carolina A&T and then lost its next three games to Virginia (31-30), Ole Miss (40-6) and Louisiana (41-38). Wake Forest defeated NC State 34-30 last Saturday to secure its first conference win.

    The Demon Deacons average 30.6 points per game, ninth-most in the conference. Hank Bachmeier recorded 1,313 passing yards for seven touchdowns and two interceptions in five games. His favorite target is wide receiver Taylor Morin, who has 345 yards on 26 catches.

    Wake Forest allows 31 points per game, second-most in the ACC, and records the fewest sacks in the conference with six.

    MORE: What Dabo Swinney said about the unrest in Alabama, Tennessee and Clemson’s “windshield mentality.”

    Clemson’s Phil Mafah can build on his season-best performance against Wake Forest

    Mafah rushed for 154 yards on 25 carries to help Clemson beat FSU in Week 6. It was a season-high in runs and yards for the No. 1 running back. Mafah is fifth in the ACC in rushing yards (496) and third in average rushing yards (99.2) and yards per carry (7.3).

    Mafah is aiming for his first 1,000-yard rushing season and is on pace to surpass that mark. He’ll try to gain more against Wake Forest, a team that allows the third-most rushing yards per game (168.8) in the conference.

    Clemson history vs. Wake Forest

    Clemson has a 71-17-1 record against Wake Forest all-time, its second-highest win total against an opponent. These teams first met in 1933 in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Tigers won 13-0. Clemson defeated the Deacons 17-12 in their matchup at Memorial Stadium last year.

    The Tigers have won their last 15 games by a combined score of 595-224. The last time Wake Forest beat Clemson was in 2008, when it went 12-7.

    Clemson score prediction vs. Wake Forest

    Clemson 44, Wake Forest 14: The Tigers have had some close games against the Deacons over the last two years, but their dominance against them will continue on Saturday. Supported by a top-notch defense, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik will continue his strong play that will help the Tigers defeat Wake Forest.

    Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

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    Eira Gwyneth
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