WHAT TO KNOW

What’s at stake

The Tigers are the front-runners for the ACC’s Atlantic Division title and in prime position to make the second College Football Playoff. They can’t afford a stumble in Raleigh, where the Wolfpack snapped a two-game skid and restored some banged-up confidence with last week’s win at Wake Forest.

Key matchup

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson vs. N.C. State’s pass rush. The Wolfpack had better put some pressure on Watson, who has thrown for 1,553 yards and 15 touchdowns at the helm of an offense averaging 38.4 points per game. The Wolfpack can disrupt things if Mike Rose and his fellow pass rushers can get to Watson; N.C. State had seven sacks last week at Wake Forest and is tied for third in the ACC with 19.

Players to watch

Clemson: WR Artavis Scott. He’s Watson’s top target with 40 catches for 450 yards to go with four touchdowns.

N.C. State: RB Matt Dayes. He ranks in the top 25 nationally with 793 rushing yards and is seventh nationally with a league-best 12 touchdowns. The Wolfpack certainly could use a good performance from him, both to drive the offense and control the clock to keep the Tigers offense on the sideline.

Facts & figures

The Tigers have carried a top-10 ranking the last two times they visited Raleigh. N.C. State blew out Clemson 37-13 in 2011. ... The Tigers were No. 3 in their last visit in 2013. ... N.C. State averages 204.5 yards rushing and 204 yards passing. ... Clemson has won 10 of 11 in the series. ... The Tigers won last year’s meeting 41-0 and held the Wolfpack to 154 yards, a dominating show a week after N.C. State had lost a shootout with top-ranked Florida State. ... N.C. State versatile threat Jaylen Samuels has nine touchdowns in a running-receiving role key to the offense, particularly since the dismissal of top rusher Shadrach Thornton.

Betting line

Clemson by 10