Brent Venables tried to sneak a quick peak at next week’s opponent before duty called.

His look at UNC-NC State was cut short by post-game media obligations, after Clemson’s 37-32 win over South Carolina on Saturday.

There’s some familiarity with Larry Fedora’s version of the hurry-up, no-huddle offense. Last September, Clemson out-slugged UNC in Memorial Stadium, 50-35.

“Played really well in the first half, then we kind of slept-walked there in the second half, gave up some big plays, didn’t play as good,” Venables remembered.

Paced by Marquise Williams, who threw for 345 yards, the Tar Heels rolled up 478 yards of total offense, including 71 one the ground from Elijah Hood.

“We didn’t play with the same edge in the second half — a year ago — as we needed to, like we did in the first half,” Venables said.

Williams and Hood are back, as are the top four wide receivers: Mack Hollins, Quinshad Davis, Bug Howard and Ryan Switzer.

Williams had thrown for 2,605 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 more on the ground. Hollins, Switzer, Davis and Howard combined for nearly 150 catches for over 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns. Hood has rushed for 1,280 yards and 16 scores.

“They’ve had a very good year,” Venables said, “Very good year.”

UNC enters the ACC Championship with a regular season record of 11-1 (8-0 ACC). The Tar Heels’ only loss was in the season opener against South Carolina.

“Watched them a little bit getting ready for Wake Forest, got a chance to see them on offense. Really haven’t seen them on defense,” said Tony Elliott, after Clemson beat the Gamecocks. “I know they’re explosive on offense and they can score a lot of points. We’re going to have to be on our A-game, to make sure that we’re prepared to go out and execute.

“Don’t turn the ball over, manufacture drives, help the defense. I hear that they’ve got really good personnel on defense. Obviously, they’re playing a high-level, because they’re in a position to play us in the championship, so I’ll get on it tonight and I’ll have a good feel, hopefully, by the time we get ready to practice on Monday.”

Jordan Leggett’s familiarity is about the same.

“I just know they’re kind of like our offense,” he said. “They’re fast-tempo. They’ve got a lot of play-makers on the outside. We’ll just have to dig-down deep, rally together and just go to work.”

Kevin Dodd believes Clemson’s defense will face a stiff challenge next Saturday night in Charlotte.

“I watched them play South Carolina and I watched a little here and there, but I respect their team,” he said. “I feel like they’re a really good team and we’re going…to flush this tonight after we celebrate and get back on it (Sunday), early Sunday.”

The level of respect for the Tar Heels’ defense is matched by Deshaun Watson, who set a school record with six touchdown passes in last year’s game.

“I’ve seen them a little bit. They’ve got a good offense, good defense, great coaches,” he said. “They’re going to be ready to play, so it’s crunch-time now. It’s championship time.”