GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: The only foreseeable way that Louisville can threaten Clemson’s defense will be through the air, so the matchup between the Clemson secondary and Louisville’s wide receivers sizes up as the best battle to watch on Saturday. Louisville’s rushing attack is painfully inefficient at best, which is why the Cardinals rank 116th nationally in rushing. Clemson’s defense is seventh in the country against the run, so moving the ball via quarterback Jawon Pass is the only viable option. At 6-foot-4, 231 pounds, Pass stands tall in the pocket and has some capable receivers in Jaylen Smith, Seth Dawkins and Tutu Atwell. Both Smith and Atwell had 100-yard receiving games in a loss to Wake Forest last week. “Tutu is very explosive — a great playmaker,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “Tremendous, tremendous speed and tough to cover up.”
DRAFT SLANT
–DL Christian Wilkins had three tackles and one tackle for loss last week at Florida State, but was more noted for his performance on offense, where he scored the first rushing touchdown of his career on a two-yard run. Wilkins, who’s 6-4, 315, followed the block of fellow defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who’s 6-4, 350, to paydirt. “That’s a lot of weight going downhill at you,” Venables said. Scouts love Wilkins’ versatility and he’s embraced his entire skill set. He has started on punt team since his freshman season, played a snap at safety in Clemson’s spring game and caught a touchdown pass his sophomore year. Now he’s lobbying coach Swinney to put him in at quarterback, so stay tuned.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Justyn Ross tweaked a hamstring in practice last week was limited at Florida State, but is expected to be at full strength for Saturday’s game against Louisville.
–C Justin Falcinelli missed last week’s game at Florida State while in concussion protocol. He was expected to return to practice this week and be back in the starting lineup for the Louisville game.
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