UNC Football: Keys To The Game: Clemson Tigers Edition

Win The Turnover Battle

As we mentioned in the opening slide, turnovers have been the reason Clemson has lost a majority of its games this year. In their four losses, Clemson is -6 in the turnover battle. However, in their six wins, they are +7. Taking care of the football offensively and forcing the Clemson offense into some mistakes defensively could prove to be a huge key in this game.

The Tar Heels most likely want this game to turn into an offensive shootout with Drake Maye at the helm and not a defensive slugfest, given the struggles the UNC Football defense has had as of late, especially in the fourth quarter.

A shootout in this one favors the Tar Heels, especially if they can force Clemson into a few mistakes and/or get defensive stops. North Carolina has done a good job of forcing turnovers this year; however, they haven’t done a great job of converting those turnovers into points.

This stat is two weeks old but still very relative. Prior to the Campbell game, the Tar Heel defense had forced 15 turnovers, and the offense had only turned it into a total of 20 points. That number rose, but against an FCS Opponent in the Camels. Against Duke, the Tar Heels forced zero turnovers.

This week, complimentary football will be more important than ever if the eight-point underdogs want to pull off the upset in Death Valley and keep their hopes at a New Year Six Bowl (and possibly ACC Championship game) alive.