Louisville (5-3, 3-2 ACC) will face off against No. 11 Clemson (6-1, 5-0) this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted on ESPN. The betting line by BetMGM indicates that Clemson is favored by 10 and a half points. Notably, throughout their encounters, Clemson has maintained a perfect record against Louisville, leading the series 8-0.
The stakes are high for both teams in this matchup. After suffering a loss in their season opener against the then-top ranked Georgia, the Tigers have rallied impressively, winning six consecutive games with comfortable margins. Remaining undefeated in the ACC is crucial for Clemson as they aim to secure a place in the championship game. Conversely, Louisville set out with hopes of contention, but setbacks against ranked teams, specifically Miami and SMU, have hindered their progress.
A pivotal element of the game will be the contest between Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough and Clemson’s defensive line. The Tigers have capitalized on facing teams that struggle offensively, enabling them to build significant leads. However, Louisville presents a formidable challenge, boasting an impressive average of 460 yards and 36 points per game. Clemson’s challenge will be to put consistent pressure on Shough, who previously transferred from Texas Tech and has already achieved four 300-yard passing games this season.
In terms of standout players, keep an eye on Louisville’s freshman running back, Isaac Brown. He has rushed for 649 yards this season, placing him just behind the legendary Heisman winner and NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson, who accumulated 960 yards in his freshman year back in 2015. Brown’s performance currently leads national rushing yardage among freshmen, and he has scored six touchdowns on the ground, tying for second place. For Clemson, linebacker Wade Woodaz is a key player, leading the team with 53 tackles and eight pressures on quarterbacks, in addition to forcing three fumbles. He shares the spotlight with freshman Sammy Brown, each contributing significantly to the team’s total of 6.5 tackles for loss this season.
Several statistics further illuminate the context of the game. Clemson aims to extend its all-time record against Louisville to 9-0. This season, Louisville has managed to maintain a highly balanced offensive approach with 244 rushing attempts and 14 touchdowns, alongside 246 passes resulting in 18 touchdowns. Notably, the Tigers have established a remarkable streak, rushing for a touchdown in 57 consecutive home games—the current longest active streak in the country. Shough is also setting personal bests, having already thrown for 2,348 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik matches him with a remarkable total of 20 touchdown passes this season. The Tigers enjoy an impressive run of their own, winning the last 22 home night games, their last defeat occurring against Florida State in 2013.