No. 11 Clemson tries to stay perfect in ACC play and against Louisville on Saturday night
No. 11 Clemson tries to stay perfect in ACC play and against Louisville on Saturday night
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts towards an official in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) congratulates wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) on his touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough (9)looks to make a pass against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm gestures as defensive lineman Ramon Puryear (41) runs out onto the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts towards an official in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts towards an official in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) congratulates wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) on his touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) congratulates wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) on his touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough (9)looks to make a pass against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough (9)looks to make a pass against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm gestures as defensive lineman Ramon Puryear (41) runs out onto the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm gestures as defensive lineman Ramon Puryear (41) runs out onto the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Louisville (5-3, 3-2 ACC) at No. 11 Clemson (6-1, 5-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Clemson by 10 by 2 1/2.
Series record: Clemson leads 8-0.
What’s at stake?
Clemson has been on a tear since losing its opener to then-No. 1 Georgia, winning six in a row by lopsided margins. The Tigers must keep winning as one of four ACC teams still undefeated in league play to stay on track for a return to the championship game. Louisville had hoped to be in the mix, too, but has lost to ranked opponents in Miami and SMU to fall off the pace.
Key matchup
Louisville QB Tyler Shough vs. Clemson’s defensive line. The Tigers have taken advantage of opponents not nearly as offensively skilled as them to open big leads. That’s unlikely to happen with the Cardinals, who are averaging 460 yards and 36 points a game. Clemson needs to get pressure on Shough, the Texas Tech transfer who’s has four 300-yard passing games this season.
Players to watch
Louisville: RB Isaac Brown is a freshman who’s run for 649 yards, second only to Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who ran for 960 yards as a freshman in 2015. Brown’s yards are the most nationally among freshmen and his six TDs on the ground are tied for second.
Clemson: LB Wade Woodaz leads the Tigers with 53 tackles and eight quarterback pressures. He’s also forced three fumbles and is tied for the top with freshman Sammy Brown with 6.5 tackles for loss this season.
Facts & figures
Clemson is looking to go 9-0 all-time against the Cardinals. ... Louisville has about as balanced an offense as possible this season, running 244 times with 14 TDs and throwing it 246 times for 18 scores. ... The Tigers have rushed for at least one touchdown in 57 straight home games, the longest such current streak in the country. ... Shough, who is in his seventh year after stops at Oregon and the Red Raiders, has so far thrown for a career-high 2,348 yards and 20 touchdowns. ... Clemson passer Cade Klubnik has also had a stellar year this season with a career-high 20 TD throws. ... The Tigers have won their past 22 home games played at night. Their last loss was a 51-14 defeat at Death Valley to Florida State in 2013.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football