Clemson Pick 3

Here are three key matchups for Clemson entering this afternoon's game with Duke:

1 Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis vs. Clemson defense

Clemson defensvie coordinator Vic Koenning was disgusted by the Tigers effort last Saturday against Florida State. It's one thing to lose a game, but it was the Tigers effort in the fourth quarter that disappointed Koenning. There's a reason why Tennessee won so many games with Duke head coach David Cutcliffe as the Vols offensive coordinator. The guy can flat-out coach quarterbacks. Peyton Manning and Eli Manning ring any bells. It's no surprise that Duke quarterback Thaddeaus Lewis is leading the ACC in passing yards (207.7 per game), touchdown passes (14) and total offense (217.4 ypg). The Tigers defense will need a better effort against the Blue Devils than they got last week against Florida State.

2 Clemson left tackle Chris Hairston vs. Duke defensive line

Chris Hairston was literally knocked out last week's game with Florida State in first quarter with a concussion. The Tigers were up 10-0 when he left the game. Right tackle Cory Lambert was moved to the left side and Florida State defensive end Everette Brown went wild, recording three sacks. Quarterback Cullen Harper was sacked six times in all. Hairston practiced all week and is listed as probable for this afternoon's game. Duke is eighth in the ACC in sacks with 15. (Clemson is dead-last with 9). A healthy Chris Hairston will bring a calming influence to the Tigers offensive line.

3 Clemson mindset vs. coaching search

Go on the message boards and chat rooms around Tiger Nation and all the talk is about who the next football coach will be. There's little or no mention of this afternoon's game with Duke. For the fans, a win is a forgone conclusion. While the Tiger players have said all the right things this week, they are not immune to this kind of attitude. The Blue Devils have been in just about every game this season. Only Georgia Tech was able to blow the Blue Devils out, 27-0, but the Yellow Jackets only led 10-0 going into the fourth quarter. There are no gimmies anymore in the ACC.

Outlook

Although Clemson has pretty much dominated this series over the years -- Tigers lead 34-16-1 all-time -- it has been a vastly different series at Memorial Stadium and at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. The Tigers have struggled up at Wallace Wade even when they've won. Last year's 47-10 was the exception rather than the rule for the Tigers. Meanwhile, in the friendly confines of Death Valley, the Tigers have won 13 straight. The Tigers scored 49, 40, 59 and 58 points with an average margin of victory of 35.3 points in their last four game at home against the Blue Devils. The Tigers last loss at home to the Blue Devils was in 1980, 34-17, under legendary coach Danny Ford. So, history should be on Clemson's side despite an improved Duke team. Despite their record, Clemson still has the most talent in the ACC, especially at the skill positions. Cullen Harper will have more time to throw than he did last week against Florida State and the Tigers should hit a couple of big pass plays down the field.

Prediction

Clemson 31, Duke 17.

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