Maye, UNC stand in way of Clemson's 7th ACC title in 8 years
By The Associated Press - Dec. 01, 2022 12:19 PM EST
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to pass against North Carolina State behind the block of running back Omarion Hampton (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to pass against North Carolina State behind the block of running back Omarion Hampton (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) rolls into the end zone for a touchdown as North Carolina State linebackers Payton Wilson (11) and Drake Thomas (32) trail during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) can't quite haul in a pass as he is defended by North Carolina State safety Cyrus Fagan (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) breaks a tackle from South Carolina linebacker Sherrod Greene (44) on his way to a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) is pressured by North Carolina State linebacker Isaiah Moore (1) while throwing a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
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No. 24 North Carolina (9-3, 6-2 ACC, No. 23 CFP) vs. No. 10 Clemson (10-2, 8-0, No. 9), Saturday, 8 p.m. EST at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium (ABC)

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: Clemson by 7 1/2.

Series record: Clemson leads 38-19-1

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Clemson is seeking its seventh ACC championship in the last eight seasons. The Tigers won six straight titles (2015-20) before failing to reach the championship game last season. UNC has never won an ACC championship game, losing 45-37 to Clemson in 2015 in its only other appearance. The Tar Heels haven't won the ACC title since 1980, well before the creation of a championship game. Clemson's loss last week to in-state rival South Carolina likely killed any chance for the Tigers to reach the College Football Playoff.

KEY MATCHUP

UNC QB Drake Maye vs. Clemson's secondary: There are some observers who believe the redshirt freshman warrants Heisman Trophy consideration, although the Tar Heels' two losses to close the season have dampened that enthusiasm. Still, Maye is a dangerous threat and a QB who some pro scouts already believe has the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Maye has thrown for 3,847 yards and 35 TDs to go along with 629 yards rushing and six TDs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

North Carolina: WR Josh Downs. He's tied for sixth in the Bowl Subdivision ranks with 11 touchdown receptions despite playing two fewer games than every other player with at least 11 TD grabs. In one remarkable tear, Downs had a run of four straight 100-yard games with at least nine catches in each one – including a 15-catch game against Virginia and a huge game (11 catches, 154 yards, three touchdowns) in the division-clinching win at Wake Forest.

Clemson: RB Will Shipley has rushed for 1,092 yards, the first Tiger tailback to do that since Travis Etienne. Shipley also has 14 touchdowns, second in the ACC. He’s also the engine that makes the Tigers’ offense go. Shipley has rushed for 100 or more yards five times this year, including 132 in a 31-30 loss to rival South Carolina this past week. Shipley and Maye both played high school football in the Charlotte area.

FACTS & FIGURES

North Carolina head coach Mack Brown posted a 3-7 record against Clemson during his first reign with the Tar Heels (1988-97). UNC lost its only matchup to Clemson 21-20 in Brown’s second stint in Chapel Hill, a loss that came down to the final play. ... Clemson has won the last seven ACC championship games it has participated in overall. ... Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 19-7 all-time in postseason play, including both conference championship games and bowl games. ... Swinney is seeking to win his eighth conference championship to tie Frank Howard in school history.

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