GAME NOTES: A key ACC battle takes place in Death Valley this weekend, as the 20th-ranked Clemson Tigers play host to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Both teams are 4-2 in conference play, sitting just a half game behind Atlantic Division leading Boston College. The Tigers enter this game with a full head of steam, winning each of their last three games, including a 47-10 rout of Duke last weekend. The defending ACC champs were once again steaming along in league play, but hit a bump in the road, as Wake Forest dropped a heart- breaker at Virginia last weekend, 17-16. The loss halted a lengthy six-game win streak, as the Demon Deacons hadn't lost since a three-point setback to Nebraska on September 8th. Clemson holds a huge lead in the all-time series (55-16-1). Last season, the Tigers topped the Demon Deacons 27-17 in Winston- Salem.

The Demon Deacons blew a late lead in Charlottesville this past week and seriously damaged their chances of repeating as ACC champions. Wake managed 315 yards of total offense in the game, but had to settle for field goals (three), as the offense stalled at times. Balance has been the key to Wake's success on offense this year, with the team averaging 28.8 ppg, on 342.0 yards of offense. The team is getting 149.9 ypg on the ground and another 192.1 through the air. QB Riley Skinner has played well at times, but has struggled as well. He is completing a remarkable 73.2 percent of his passes on the year, but has just seven TD throws and 10 interceptions. Senior WR Kenny Moore has been dominant in the vertical game and is clearly Skinner's top target, hauling in 65 balls, for 715 yards and five scores. Freshman RB Josh Adams has been solid in the rushing game, averaging nearly five yards per carry (4.8) and leading the team with 651 yards on the ground and six TDs.

The Wake defense has played well for the most part in 2007, allowing 22.2 ppg, on 345.4 yards of total offense. Where the team has faltered is in the red zone, allowing foes to convert 76 percent of the time (22-of-29), including TDs 59 percent of the time (17-of-29). The unit has been able to force a good number of turnovers (25) and has racked up 22 sacks. Junior safety Chip Vaughn leads the team in tackles (81), with 4.5 TFLs, one INT and one fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Aaron Curry has been the team's top playmaker however. Curry is second on the team in tackles (69), first in TFLs (9.5), with two sacks, three INTs and two forced fumbles. Junior CB Alphonso Smith (40 tackles) is another ballhawk, with a team-high four INTs and three forced fumbles. Senior DE Jeremy Thompson (31 tackles) is the team's top pass rusher, with nine TFLs and 6.5 sacks.

The Tigers have turned things up a notch offensively of late and last week's lopsided win over Duke is a perfect example. Clemson was efficient in its scoring drives last week, as tailback James Davis amassed 118 yards and one TD on just eight carries. QB Cullen Harper did the rest, passing for 184 yards and two scores, while rushing for a third. WR Aaron Kelly hauled in six passes, for 57 yards and two TDs. The Tigers have been potent offensively this year, putting up 424.7 yards per game. Harper has been outstanding, completing 65.2 percent of his passes, for 2,166 yards, with 23 TD passes and just four INTs. Kelly has been one of the ACC's top wideouts, leading the team in receptions (57), receiving yards (748) and TDs (nine). The ground game opens things up for Harper downfield, with Davis and C.J. Spiller forming a tough duo. Davis leads the way with 798 yards and eight TDs and is averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Spiller is netting 4.5 ypc and has scored two TDs.

The Clemson defense has been superb this season, ranking fifth nationally in total defense, allowing just 282.2 yards per game. The pass defense has been outstanding as well, ranking third nationally at 157.1 yards per game. The linebacking corps is the heart-and-soul of this defense. Nick Watkins is the top tackler on the team with 86 stops. He is joined in the middle of the field by fellow LBs Tramaine Billie (58 tackles) and Cortney Vincent (52 tackles). Safeties Michael Hamlin (60 tackles, team-high four INTs) and Chris Clemons (54 tackles) highlight the play in the secondary. Defensive ends Philip Merling (51 tackles, team-high 11 TFLs, two sacks) and Ricky Sapp (29 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, team-high four sacks) are the players to keep an eye on along the defensive front.

The Tigers are on a roll right now and get the Demon Deacons in Death Valley. This is an important contest, as jockeying for position in the Atlantic Division starts this week. Clemson has the better offense and that should be the difference in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 27, Wake Forest 17