CLEMSON – It’s Game Day in Death Valley where No. 3 Clemson battles NC State in an Atlantic division showdown as the Tigers look to stay undefeated.

Location: Memorial Stadium (Death Valley)

Kickoff:  Noon

Television:  ABC

Announcers:  Brian Griese, Steve Levy, Todd McShay

2016 Record: Clemson  6-0  NC State 4-1

ACC Record: Clemson 3-0  NC State 1-0

Series History: Clemson leads 55-28-1

Last Meeting:  Clemson won 56-41 in 2015 at NC State

Clemson One of 11 Undefeated Teams

Clemson is one of 11 undefeated teams remaining at the FBS level of college football. There are six teams with a 6-0 record (Clemson, Michigan, Texas A&M, Washington, Western Michigan and Alabama), four teams with a 5-0 mark (Nebraska, Ohio State, Baylor and Boise State), and one team 4-0 (West Virginia). Two weeks ago there were 25 undefeated teams and over the last two weeks 14 undefeated teams have lost.

Clemson Honorary Captains for NC State

Clemson will have two of its toughest running backs in history serve as honorary captains for today’s game with NC State. Both had their career high rushing games against rival South Carolina in Clemson victories and both are members of the Clemson 2000-yard rushing club.

Buddy Gore was Clemson’s first ACC Player of the Year in 1967 when he became the first Tiger to rush for over 1000 yards in a season and he did it in just 10 games. He concluded that year with a 189-yard effort against South Carolina that allowed him to reach the magic number. He was a two-time first-team All-ACC player and is still ranked 10th in Clemson history in rushing with 2,571 yards.

Ken Callicutt ran for 197 yards against South Carolina in a 54- 32 Clemson victory in 1974. That remains the all-time Clemson record for rushing yards against the Gamecocks. He is 14th in Clemson history in career rushing with 2,256 yards. Callicutt went on to play five years and 66 games in the NFL. He is sixth in

Watson Among National Leaders in Many Categories

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is among the active FBS players in terms of career numbers in many categories. Here is the list:

•3rd in completion percentage at .660

•4th in career passing efficiency at 159.27

•6th in touchdown passes with 67

•6th in touchdown responsibility with 84

•11th in total offense with 8682

•13th in passing yards with 7138

Clemson 6-0 for Fourth Time in Five Years

Clemson improved to 6-0 with a 56-10 win over Boston College last Friday night. The 46-point win was the sixth highest victory margin in an ACC road game in school history.

It was Clemson’s first regular season Friday win since 1952. Clemson is 6-0 for the fourth time in the last five years. In the 78 years prior to Dabo Swinney becoming the head coach of the Tigers, Clemson was 6-0 just five times (1940, 1948, 1981, 1987 and 2000).   Clemson’s best start to a season was 14-0 last year.

NC State has a 4-1 record entering today’s game. This is the first time since 1988 that Clemson and NC State enter the game having played at least five games and post a winning percentage of at least 80 percent.  The Tigers and the Pack were both 5-1 entering that 1988 game in Raleigh. NC State won that game 10-3, ironically the same score by which the Pack beat Notre Dame last Saturday.

Tigers Face 4-1 Wolfpack

NC State comes to Clemson off a team building and season building 10-3 win over Notre Dame last Saturday. The victory improved the Pack to 4-1 for the third consecutive year. The game was played in hurricane conditions, similar to Clemson’s two-point win over the Irish at almost the same date on the calendar last year.

The Pack’s ability to run the ball and commit fewer mistakes proved to be the difference in the win over the Irish. Running back Matt Dayes had his ninth career 100-yard rushing day against the Irish.  He averages 113 yards per game for the season, and a 5.7 average per rush.

Defensive 3-and-out leaders

According to research by the Auburn Sports Information office, Clemson is third in the nation in defensive three-and-outs through games of October 9. Clemson has forced 39 three and outs in six games, an average of 6.5 per game. Only Michigan with 7.5 per game and Alabama with 6.67 per game, are ahead of the Tigers.

Clemson has forced a three and out 47 percent of its defensive possessions. That is also third best nationally on a per possession basis. Michigan has forced 45 three and outs in 80 possessions for 56.2 percent and Alabama is second at an even 50 percent (40 of 80).

Leggett Sets Record in Grand Style

Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett became the school’s career leader in touchdowns by a tight end when he caught the game winning 31- yard scoring pass from Deshaun Watson against Louisville with just 3:14 left in the game. That was quite a way to set the record as Louisville was ranked No.3 in the nation entering the contest.

It was the second straight game Leggett has caught a touchdown pass, giving him the Clemson career record by one over current Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (2009-11), Brandon Ford (2009-12) and former Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl Champion John McMakin (1969-71).

Leggett tied the Clemson tight end touchdown record last year with eight. In that 2015 season he had at least one touchdown catch in five straight games, another Clemson record for a tight end.

TCI Predictions 

Robert – Clemson 54 NC State 24

Gavin – Clemson 38 NC State 14

Will – Clemson 46  NC State 17

Qualk – Clemson 44 NC State 17