CLEMSON — Clemson has been on a roll.

The 10th-ranked Tigers have scored 194 points in their past four games, leading to their 4-1 record. Three of their wins have been in the ACC as well, putting them atop the conference standings.

The Tigers (3-0 ACC) have an opportunity to improve their record against Wake Forest, whom they play Saturday (noon, ESPN) in Winston Salem, N.C.

Earlier this week, quarterback Cade Klubnik spoke on the challenge the Demon Deacons (2-3.1-1 ACC) present to the Tigers.

“They’re a very well coached, disciplined team, and what they do, they do it really well,” Klubnik said. “They’re a team that is never going to quit.”

Wake Forest earned a win last week against ACC-rival NC State on the road, a game in which they rallied down 10 points to win, proving Klubnik’s point.

“You’re going to have to play all four quarters against them,” Klubnik said. “They’ve got good players and are definitely a great opponent.”

Clemson has won 15 in a row over Wake Forest, however, the last two years have been tough ones. The Tigers held on to beat the Demon Deacons by five points last year and two years ago they need to knock down a pass in the end zone to hang on for a double overtime victory.

Klubnik admitted the importance of a victory against the Demon Deacons and how crucial earning another win against them will be, including the mentality each week.

“Coach has been saying, ‘Hey, it’s opening week.’ It’s the first game of the season mentality every single week, and treating every game like it’s the biggest game of the year, because it really is,” Klubnik said. “This game that I’m about to play this Saturday is the most important game of the year for me, and I’m ready to go and treat it like any other.”

CLEMSON — The Clemson Tigers Football program is powerful in many ways. On the field, in the locker room, on campus, and in public, the players make an impact and are knit together.

The importance of family, however, may be the most powerful thing.

As head coach Dabo Swinney has instilled, the 10th-ranked Tigers (4-1, 3-0 ACC) are meant to be a united brotherhood, loving each other on and off the field and pushing each other to grow and develop into better players and people. Many of these ideas are present in the relationships between them.

Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz spoke about his bond with captain fellow linebacker Barrett Carter and how they play together on the football field.

“Me and Barrett, I mean, that’s my best friend,” Woodaz said. “We do pretty much everything together, so carrying it over to the field is pretty easy to do.”

Carter and Woodaz have been dominant this year, with Woodaz leading the team in tackles (36) and Carter following right behind (30). In addition, they have combined for multiple tackles for loss, each earning one against Florida State last week.

“It really just comes down to communication,” Woodaz said. “We’re out there calling stuff out, predicting for things to happen, and then we bounce off ideas of what we think the offense might run, so I think that definitely helps us out to be able to go and perform.

“Being able to turn and ask maybe, if I’m not quite sure of something, I can turn and ask him, or I can turn around and ask R.J. Mickens or Tyler Venables. I can ask one of them ‘hey, what’s going on here?’ and they can dish out a quick response, is really helpful.”

Clemson hopes the Tigers’ two linebackers can continue to make plays, especially on Saturday (noon, ESPN) when they play a Wake Forest offense that has improved and is gaining confidence.

CLEMSON – Each week the media who cover the Clemson Tigers gets to hear from head coach Dabo Swinney and a few selected coaches and players. They hear from the Tigers’ next opponent.

Here are this week’s top quotes from Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, and select Clemson players.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on playing Wake Forest

“Well coached, play hard every snap, fundamentally sound, incredibly discipline…always a hard-fought battle and I don’t expect anything different.”

Wake Forest’s Dave Clawson on Clemson’s offense:

“I think they’ve found their sweet spot…I’d enjoy watching it if we didn’t have to play against them”

Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin on Wake Forest’s quarterback:

“He’s a veteran guy, played a lot of ball. He’s tough, he’s going to stand in there and take hits. He’s a really gritty young man.”

Clemson Defensive end Peter Woods on having consistency:

“I think that we just have to play our keys and have great eye discipline…If we play our scheme with 110-percent consistency and confidence then we shouldn’t have a problem.”

Clawson on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik:

“I don’t know what they did in the off season down there with him, but he looks bigger, stronger, and faster. He’s a good pocket passer but what really scares you is some of the plays he makes with his feet.”

Klubnik on the Demon Deacons Defense:

“A tough team, they’re well coached. Very disciplined team and what they do, they do it really well. They’re a team that’s never going to quit…a team that you know you’re going to have to play all four quarters against them.”

Clawson said he needs his fans to show up and be loud:

“We know we need people to show up…we had a home field advantage in this game two years ago and it helped, and it would be great if we had it again.”

CHARLOTTE – If the new revenue-model starts next year, as expected, football won’t be the only sport at Clemson to benefit in a big way.

Brad Brownell’s basketball program should also see some kind of boost, as schools will be able to start paying athletes directly once the House settlement is finalized as soon as next July.

Brownell broached the subject at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte on Tuesday, beginning by saying that while the new model is rapidly approaching, there are still a lot of questions that need answering before he can really dive into the impact revenue-sharing can have on his program. Two of the biggest ones being what are the rules going to be and will they be enforced.

“Hard to say, I don’t know what it’s all going to mean,” Brownell said. “There are too many things to worry about. What are the rules going to be? Are people going to do it? Are there going to be loopholes? How’s it going to work?”

While there are still a lot of details to be ironed out, at the end of the day, the head coach believes the end result will be a positive one. Right now, the only way players can be paid is through NIL, meaning a lot of that money has to come from donors.

“I do think that from the standpoint of giving us some direction, some organization and getting most of the money coming from the schools is much better,” Brownell said. “You can’t keep going to the same few donors all the time to keep this thing going. You are just not going to be able to do it. We’ve done everything we can to help our guys to put them in a position to be successful. But there is a point where this becomes really challenging so I am optimistic it will pass and at least give some guardrails to start with.”

NIL has been a hot-button topic since its inception in the summer of 2021. Many just flat-out don’t believe in it. The ones that do must donate to the 110 Society on top of what they are already giving to IPTAY.

With the Tigers’ smaller alumni base, raising those kinds of funds can be more challenging than it might be at some of the bigger schools and at a certain point, donors might get to the point where they feel like enough is enough. In fact, Brownell noted that he has already dealt with some donor fatigue.

While NIL certainly isn’t going away when the revenue-sharing model starts, it just might start to ease the burden on some of the donors and that is something Brownell is confident will prove to be beneficial.

“There’s times where there is certainly donor fatigue,” Brownell said. “It’s real. It’s hard because it is usually on top of what you are already giving to IPTAY. And there are certainly folks that aren’t for the NIL. That believe the full scholarship and everything else is enough. The revenue-sharing speaks to that and that piece to give players money is important and necessary and right. But again, donors having to do all of that, that is a lot. You are asking a lot.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online! 

CLEMSON — Under Dabo Swinney, Clemson has had unapparelled success on the football field.

The Tigers have won two national championships under Swinney’s guidance and eight ACC titles.  Last week, he became the winningest coach in ACC history with Clemson’s win over Florida State, attaining his 174th overall.

Directly following the win, athletic director Graham Neff presented Swinney with the game ball in the visitors locker room. Swinney gave a speech in which he declared that coaching accomplishments are not his goal. Instead, his focus is on building a program that players across the country want to be a part of. 

For players like Cade Klubnik and Wade Woodaz, this is what Clemson football is all about. Klubnik shared Swinney’s praise to his players is what determined the quarterback’s college decision. 

“That’s why I came to Clemson,” the quarterback said. “The reason that I wanted to come play for Coach Swinney is that he has an amazing accomplishment like that and immediately he turns it around and says, ‘Hey, I was never looking to have this accomplishment. My accomplishment was to go make great men and set up their lives for success.’ That’s what I saw in the recruiting process.”

Klubnik was a highly touted five-star recruit out of high school. His hometown of Austin, Texas is roughly 1,000 miles from Clemson. Klubnik’s love for Swinney and his program was more important than distance.

Similarly, Woodaz, a Tampa, Fla., native is nearly 600 miles from his hometown. Woodaz shared Klubnik’s sentiment about what makes Swinney and Clemson special and why he ultimately wanted to be a Tiger.

“That’s why we all came here,” the linebacker said. “Obviously yes, the championships and success on the field is important and it’s a really big factor, but at the end of the day, football’s going to end and this place is making me a better man than what I was when I came here.

“That aspect of Clemson is why a lot of people choose this place and why a lot of parents want to send their kids here.”

CLEMSON — Normally, Clemson is very good at stopping the run.

Since 2017, the Tigers have finished first, second or third in rushing defense in the ACC, while holding opponents under 100 rushing yards per game in 2017 and 2021. However, if there is a weak link to the Tigers defense this season it is their inability to slow the run down.

Clemson, who travels to Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday (noon, ESPN) to take on Wake Forest, ranks 12^th in the ACC in rushing defense, yielding 151.0 yards per game. And do not blame it just on the second and third team defenses either.

The Tigers’ first defense has had its issues, as well. Check the Stanford game for evidence.

Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) allowed the Cardinal to run for 168 yards in the first half, giving up seven yards per carry. Running back Micah Ford had105 yards in the first half, while quarterback Ashton Daniels ran for 57 yards on six carries.

The Tigers, who are ranked No. 10 in the latest Associated Press Poll, got things corrected in their win over Florida State last week. The Seminoles rushed for just 22 yards on 23 carries.

The question is can Clemson play that way against Wake Forest, whose running game is unique like Stanford’s was?

“They are pretty different and unique in their style just like Stanford was pretty unique, as well,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “The quarterback is a good runner. (Daniels) was probably a little faster. This guy is probably a little bit more aggressive, as far as his physicality in the run game.”

Wake (2-3, 1-1 ACC) is averaging just 151.8 yards per game on the ground, which is not great. However, they do not let up on the run game and by using its slow mesh, quarterback Hank Bachmeier can become a problem, though his rushing numbers do not indicate such.

He does just enough to keep the defense honest.

“Their slow mesh creates a lot of conflict on your safeties and your linebackers, especially in the pass game,” Swinney said. “The biggest thing is we have to do a great job of leveraging the ball. We did a much better job last week and that was great to see.

“They rushed for 22 yards, and they tried to get on the edges with us a few times, so we have to continue to do that.”

Clemson is allowing opponents to rush for 4.75 yards per carry this season, which ranks 16^th in the ACC. The defense will have to do better against the Demon Deacon’s slow mesh if they want to have the upper hand.

“It is not just your D-Line. It is your corners, it is your safeties fitting into the run game, it’s tackles coming around on twists. It is your backers and everybody leveraging the ball properly,” Swinney said. “Everybody has to have good gap integrity. That is how you stop the run.

“Everybody has to do their job and have their eyes on the right things and be disciplined in that.”

CLEMSON — Erik Bakich’s contract extension from this past summer ensures his home will be in Clemson for a while.

Although his tenure began a little over two years ago, Clemson’s baseball coach has had a devotion to Clemson for over two decades, as he pulled for the Tigers from afar after coaching under Hall of Fame head coach Jack Leggett in 2002. 

“I got my start here,” Bakich said. 

Bakich brought that passion for Clemson Baseball back with him when he took over as head coach in June of 2022. The Tigers have seen no shortage of success under Bakich’s leadership.

“The start here was to get paid in Gatorade bars and t-shirts and to wake up every day excited about coming to Clemson and I fell in love with Clemson and that never changed, that never wavered,” he said. “It was always a destination to aspire to come back to if the stars were to align.”

Now Bakich is working on getting Clemson back where it belongs — the College World Series.

Clemson has hosted two consecutive postseason regional tournaments in 2023 and 2024, a feat that only five teams in the country can boast. Additionally, he led the program to its first regional championship since 2010, while playing in their first Super Regional in 14 years.

The Tigers also set a school season attendance record in 2024, averaging 5,060 fans at every home game.

Bakich shared that his connection and love for Clemson is still the main factor that keeps him in the Upstate. 

“I’d still do this job for Gatorade bars and t-shirts, just maybe don’t tell that to the administration,” he said jokingly.

Bakich is now compensated with much more than just Gatorade bars and t-shirts, but his mindset from 2002 is still a driving factor in his decision to stay at Clemson.

“I have the same reverence for Clemson as I do the same feelings of my alma mater (East Carolina)… it’s because it’s a start, it’s a first,” he said. “I trace everything back to, you know, had it not been for Clemson I wouldn’t have been able to start coaching and so because of that there’s a high level of loyalty. No interest in going anywhere else and never did.”

CHARLOTTE – Clemson hit the stage at the ACC Basketball Tipoff Thursday afternoon.

Watch coach Brad Brownell and stars Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin give the latest on the Tigers as they prepare to build on an Elite 8 run last season.

CLEMSON – Each week The Clemson Insider dives into the Atlantic Coast Conference as a whole to go over the weekend’s matchups.

With only six ACC games this week a lot of teams can make some moves in the conference standings. Pitt is looking to remain undefeated against a Cal program that has shown glimpses of greatness throughout the season.

Virginia looks to start 5-1 with a victory over Louisville after a big win last weekend against Boston College. The 10^th-ranked Clemson Tigers are on the road for the second weekend in a row and are looking to stay in first place in the ACC Standings.

Saturday

Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2 ACC) at North Carolina (3-3, 0-2 ACC) Noon ET; The CW

Latest Line: GT -5

Notes: Georgia Tech has won five of the last six meetings against North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets came from behind to knock off previously unbeaten Duke, 24-14, in Atlanta last week. GT rushed for a season-high 245 yards and was led by 128 yards from Jamal Haynes, which matched his career high. The Tar Heels are the only FBS program with a 100+ yard rusher in each of its first six games. Omarion Hampton leads the ACC with 764 rushing yards, which is third nationally.

Stanford (2-3, 1-2 ACC) at No. 11 Notre Dame (4-1) 3:30 p.m. ET; NBC & Peacock

Latest Line: ND -23

Notes: Stanford looks to snap a two-game losing streak when it heads to South Bend, Indiana. The Cardinal have dropped back-to-back games to Clemson and Virginia Tech. The Cardinal and Fighting Irish have split their last 10 meetings as the teams battle for the Legends Trophy. Without starting QB Ashton Daniels, Stanford struggled through the air against VT. The Cardinal finished with 122 passing yards while running back Micah Ford threw for a touchdown.

California (3-2, 0-2 ACC) at No. 22 Pitt (5-0, 1-0 ACC) 3:30 p.m. ET; ESPN

Latest Line: PITT -3.5

Notes: This will be the first meeting between Cal and Pitt since Oct. 1, 1966. Pitt leads the all-time series 3-2. Pitt QB Eli Holstein threw for a Pitt freshman record 381 yards and three touchdowns against North Carolina. Holstein ranks third in the ACC in passing yards (1,567) and touchdowns (15). Cal leads the country with 11 interceptions on the season. Williams also leads all of FBS football with five interceptions

No. 10 Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) at Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1 ACC) Noon ET; ESPN

Latest Line: CLEM -20

Notes: Clemson is looking to win its 16^th straight game in the series, including eight in a row in Winston-Salem, N.C. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney became the ACC’s all-time wins leader with a 29-13 victory over Florida State. The win was No. 174 of Swinney’s career, passing the late Bobby Bowden and his 173 wins as an ACC head coach at Florida State. Phil Mafah ran for 154 yards in the Tigers’ win at FSU. Mafah ranks fifth in the ACC this season with 496 yards. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik ranks ninth in the FBS with 14 passing touchdowns this season. His favorite target, Antonio Williams, has hauled in four touchdowns.

Louisville (3-2, 1-1 ACC) at Virginia (4-1, 2-0 ACC) 3:30 p.m. ET; ACC Network

Latest Line: LOU -7.5

Notes: Louisville has won two straight meetings against Virginia and holds a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series. The Cardinals look to snap a two-game skid after falling to Notre Dame and SMU. Louisville had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver for the first time since Sept. 23, 2023, in the loss to SMU. Virginia, which was picked 16th in the ACC Preseason Poll, is off to a 2-0 start in league play for the first time since 2019. The Cavaliers erased a 14-point deficit to beat Boston College last week. It’s the second 14-point come-from-behind victory of the season for UVA, both coming in ACC play.

Syracuse (4-1, 1-1 ACC) at NC State (3-3, 0-2 ACC) 8 p.m. ET; ACC Network

Latest Line: SYR -4.5

Notes: Syracuse won the last meeting against NC State, snapping a three-game winning streak for the Wolfpack. NC State holds a 13-3 lead in the all-time series. Syracuse has won two games over ranked opponents this season (No. 23 Georgia Tech, No. 25 UNLV) for the first time since 2001. After replacing an injured Grayson McCall, freshman quarterback CJ Bailey completed 28-of-42 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolfpack last week. KC Concepcion ranks second in the ACC in receptions per game (6.2) and fifth in touchdown receptions (4).

FOX Sports’ lead college football analyst, Joel Klatt, showed some love to Clemson this week.

Klatt joined Colin Cowherd on The Herd and had praise for Dabo Swinney and his program when talking with Cowherd about the transfer portal.

Of course, Swinney has taken plenty of heat for his transfer portal approach and use of the portal, or lack thereof. But Klatt was complimentary of the Tigers when comparing them to a team such as Florida State, which relies very heavily on the portal.

Here’s the dialogue between Klatt and Cowherd during their transfer portal discussion:

“The transfer portal is forcing teams to have to constantly rebuild cohesion and chemistry,” Cowherd said. “So if you get a junior, senior team with a lot of like Texas O-linemen that have been together for three years, you not only have the talent advantage, you have the chemistry, cohesion, team advantage.”

“There is no question. … It’s true,” Klatt responded. “As other teams lose that cohesiveness and chemistry, the margin between the teams that are rebuilding every single year out of the portal – like a Florida State – and the teams that can stick together – like, look at Clemson as a great example of this.”

“We bang on Dabo all the time,” Klatt added.

“They’ve righted the ship a little bit,” Cowherd responded.

“You betcha they have,” Klatt said.

Klatt commented on how good Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) has looked during its current four-game winning streak following the season-opening loss to Georgia.

Clemson and Miami don’t play each other during the regular season, and Klatt doesn’t think the Hurricanes want to see the Tigers in the ACC title game, either.

“If you look at what they’ve done since Georgia – and was that good? No, it wasn’t. Their loss to Georgia, it wasn’t,” Klatt said. “But if you look at what they’ve done – they’ve grown, they’ve gotten better, they’ve developed, and now all of a sudden, they’ve got Garrett Riley as their offensive coordinator, and Cade Klubnik. They can run the football, and all of a sudden they’re the No. 3 scoring offense in all of college football since that loss to Georgia, scoring 48 points per game.

“Like, who wants to play ‘em? I can guarantee you, you know who doesn’t want to play Clemson? Miami.”