Clemson-Louisville Preview Capsule
No. 11 Clemson (2-0, 0-0 ACC) at Louisville (0-2, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Clemson by 6 1-2.
Series record: Clemson leads, 1-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Clemson aims to improve to 3-0 and take the first step toward meeting preseason predictions as the Atlantic Coast Conference favorite. Louisville aims to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1984 and beat one of the league's powerhouse programs.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson vs. Louisville's secondary. Williams shook off the absence of injured all-ACC wideout Mike Williams to throw for three touchdowns and 248 yards against Appalachian State. Despite yielding three TDs to Houston's Greg Ward Jr., Louisville held the Cougars to 236 yards passing and managed an interception. That's four picks in two games for the Cardinals, with big S Josh Harvey-Clemons' two INTs leading the way.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clemson: DE Shaq Lawson. Has 25.5 tackles for loss in 28 games, including 4.5 in last week's win over Appalachian State. He figures to put a lot of heat on a Louisville offensive that has struggled at pass and run blocking.
Louisville: Harvey-Clemson. The Georgia transfer has double-digit tackles in both games with a team-high 14 against Auburn in his first Cardinals start. He has been a strength for a Louisville secondary that had to replace all of its starters after a school-record 26 INTs last season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Clemson enters without starting center Ryan Norton (knee). Williams (neck) and LB Korin Wiggins (ACL) are out, DE Dane Rogers (ankle) is doubtful. ... The Tigers have outscored opponents by a combined 90-20 margin and average 462.5 yards per game. ... Louisville is playing its third game in 12 days. ... The Cardinals have outgained opponents just 400-395 yards per game. ... Louisville is 10-8 on Thursday night and has won two of its past three appearances.