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Turnovers no problem for Clemson … so far

The Sports Xchange

December 03, 2015 at 9:08 am.

Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA;  Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries for a touchdown during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) carries for a touchdown during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most accurate indicators of success or failure in football is the turnover margin.

Unless you’re Clemson.

The Tigers have lost the turnover margin six times this season, yet Coach Dabo Swinney’s team is 12-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation.

“It’s a huge concern,” Swinney said. “But we’re 12-0, so the good news is we don’t have to play perfect to win.”

Perhaps not, but the Tigers are certainly hoping to be at least a bit closer to perfect when they face 10th-ranked North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game Saturday night in Charlotte, N.C.

Despite its No. 1 ranking, Clemson needs to win to wrap up a berth in the College Football Playoff, so the Tigers would hate to have their championship hopes derailed by a lack of ball control, which has become more of an issue of late.

After committing as many as three turnovers in a game just once over its first nine games, the Tigers have lost the turnover battle in each of the last three games, with a cumulative 10-4 deficit.

“Teams that lose the turnover margin by minus-2 or more win only 16 percent of the time, but yet we’re undefeated and it’s happened to us six times,” Swinney said. “I don’t recommend that.

“I told our staff and I told our team that never, ever again in my career or any of their careers will we ever go 12-0 again losing the turnover margin six times. It’s never going to happen.”

When Clemson avoids turnovers, good things happen. In fact, the Tigers were plus-7 in the turnover margin against Notre Dame, Florida State and Miami — and won all three games.

If the Tigers can do likewise against North Carolina, Swinney will be a happy coach. He knows that turnovers can be the deciding factor, win or lose.

“If you’ve got two good, evenly matched teams and you’re giving them the ball, you’re in for a long day,” Swinney said.

NOTES, QUOTES

PLAYERS TO WATCH

–QB Deshaun Watson staged a coming-out party last season against North Carolina, passing for 435 yards and a school-record six touchdowns in the first start of his career. The Tar Heels’ defense has improved since last season, but so has Watson. Expect another big game from the sophomore quarterback who has accounted for more than 380 yards of offense in each of the Tigers’ last five games.

–RB Wayne Gallman already has 1,145 yards rushing this season and should be able to pad that total against a North Carolina run defense that ranks 105th nationally, allowing more than 208 yards per game. Gallman has seven 100-yard games in 2015, and Saturday could be No. 8, particularly if the Tigers’ offensive line asserts itself early.

–WR Germone Hopper is a North Carolina native, and apparently his eyes light up when he sees the Tar Heels coming. Hopper had a career-high 139 yards receiving in Clemson’s win against North Carolina last season, including touchdown catches of 74 and 50 yards. He’s also been playing well of late, with 12 catches in his last three games after just nine catches in the first nine games.

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