Last week Wake Forest ended a three-game losing streak and there was joy in DeacTown. The win in the closing minute at North Carolina State put the Demon Deacons at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the ACC. But now Wake has to face THE streak as they host the Clemson Tigers.
Want some perspective on The Streak? George W. Bush was finishing his last year in office the last time Wake Forest beat Clemson. 2008. That is 15 straight years for anyone trying to do the math.
There have been moments for sure when it looked like the streak could end. This site liked Wake’s chances in 2022, even publishing “If Not Now, When?” Wake lost that game in Winston-Salem in double overtime, 51-45. Last season, in a game that lacked consistent offense on both sides, Clemson won 17-12.
Clemson on a Roll
The Tigers come into Saturday’s game 4-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The one loss was on the season’s opening weekend against an elite-level Georgia team. The 30-point drubbing caused pontificators to hasten their criticism of head coach Dabo Swinney. His refusal to use the transfer portal, they said, was causing talent deficiencies on the field.
That “talent deficient” team has now four in a row, including the three conference games. Now let’s not mistake those wins for coming against the college version of elite programs. They have beaten Appalachian State, NC State, Stanford, and Florida State.
Still, the Tigers are showing life in an offense that has often, and rightfully, questioned. But with quarterback Cade Klubnik and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley in their second year together, there seems to be more of a rhythm. The yards per passing attempt and yards per completion are up significantly for Klubnik. The offense is now less about keeping everything safe. Clemson now has the #19 ranked offense in the country at 465 yards per game.
Oddly enough it is the defense, the strength of the Clemson team for the last handful of years, that is somewhat lagging. The Tigers are 80th in the country, giving up an average of 371 yards per game.
Clawson’s Perspective
Still, Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, (who is 0-10 against Clemson), knows what the Tigers are bringing to the football fight. “This has been, to me, the most dominant program in the ACC over the last decade,” Clawson said at his weekly press conference this week. “What Dabo’s built at Clemson, the consistency of it, the championship level program that he built and has been able to maintain is one of the most impressive coaching jobs in the whole country.”
The improvement in Klubnik’s game from 2023 to now has not escaped Clawson’s notice. “I don’t know what they did in the off-season down there with him, but he looks bigger, stronger, and faster.”
The receiving group, which had been the position where many speculated Swinney should have shopping in the portal, has been playing at a more consistent level over the last four games. “They look like they are coming back to where they were,” Clawson said of the receivers, as part of a legacy of Clemson standouts at the position.
“I’d enjoy watching them if we didn’t have to play them,” Clawson said of the Tigers.
Dabo
From his vantage point, Swinney said Wake Forest is, “A typical Dave Clawson team; well coached; play hard every snap; fundamentally sound.” Swinney called Wake, “One of the best-coached teams we play year in and year out.”
Of that 2022 double overtime Clemson win, Swinney recollected, “We were very, very fortunate to win that game. We literally made one more than they did.”
Swinney said he needs to see his team be more consistent over four quarters, saying they have played really well in spurts. “Coming off a really good win on the road, we’re just 4-1,” he said. “I mean we ain’t done nothing. We’re just 4-1. That’s it. All we’ve done is create some opportunity for ourselves. But we’ve got a long way to go.”
Clawson is hopeful that the time has come for the streak to end. “I think when we first got here, there was such a talent discrepancy. The double overtime one two years ago, that one I’ll take to my grave and not feel good about,” he said. “Our players get excited to play them. They’re a top 10 program. They’re a national program.” He added, “We know how good they are and our players get excited.”
