OFFENSE (A-) So where did this come from?

Clemson went away from its over reliance on three- and four-wide sets and found success with two tight-end sets, quarterback option, play-action passes and short yardage I-formations. This was the offense we had heard about in the spring and summer and it seemed to be a great fit for Kyle Parker who completed 10 of 17 passes, working mostly to his tight ends and running backs, with one deep strike to Jacoby Ford.

Spiller was great and Dalton Freeman and Chris Hairston also seemed to make a difference along the offense front.

DEFENSE (A-) Riley Skinner came in Death Valley playing some of the best football of his career – and this is a guy who has 37 career starts.

Skinner had passed for at least 350 yards in his last three starts, during which span he enjoyed a 12 to 4, touchdown to interception ratio.

Against Clemson, Skinner looked like a true freshman, throwing two interceptions and failing to reach 100 yards passing on 24 attempts. Clemson sacked Skinner five times, its best total since 2007, and did an excellent job keeping the 6-1 Skinner inside the pocket, well, collapsing pocket. The Clemson secondary did an excellent job in coverage, and DeAndre McDaniel continues his All-ACC season with his fifth pick.

SPECIAL TEAMS (B) A quiet day on the special teams front. Wake kicked away from Spiller, and Clemson didn’t allow a big return. Richard Jackson was good on his short field goal attempt and PATs.

COACHING (A) Former CU defensive coordinator Vic Koenning did a find job defending Skinner – and Kevin Steele’s group was even better Saturday. More important for the Tigers, was the offense had a design.

Offensive coordinator Billy Napier said it was product of staying on schedule in relation to down and distance, whatever the case, the Tigers showed more pro-style and play-action, which makes sense with the assets of C.J. Spiller and Kyle Parker’s big arm in the backfield. OVERALL (A -) OK, so Clemson did have two weeks to prepare, and Wake brought an inexperienced defense into its first hostile road environment, but all around it was an impression collective effort and show of resilience for Clemson, considering the turmoil surrounding the program the last two weeks. A loss might have sunk the Tigers, now they have as good as shot as any team to bring home an Atlantic Division title. Now, can the Tigers sustain this level of play?

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