ACC Championship Game 2022: Early Preview, Predictions for Clemson vs. North Carolina
Neither Clemson nor North Carolina ended the 2022 regular season in strong fashion. The Tigers dropped their finale against South Carolina at home, while the Tar Heels lost each of their final two games against Georgia Tech and NC State, both at home.
However, one of these teams will soon bounce back in a big way.
That's because Clemson and North Carolina are set to face off in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The matchup is set for 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Clemson won six consecutive ACC titles from 2015 to 2020, before not reaching the conference championship game last year. Although the Tigers are 10-2 this season, both of their losses were against nonconference opponents, as they went 8-0 in ACC play.
Since the ACC Championship Game's inception in 2005, North Carolina has played in it only once (2015, when it lost to Clemson). The Tar Heels haven't won an ACC title since 1980.
Here's everything else you need to know heading into this year's ACC Championship Game.
When Clemson Has the Ball
Clemson's offense has an experienced leader in junior quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He's passed for 2,511 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 545 yards and seven scores, including one in each of his past three games.
The Tigers have mostly had success by keeping the ball on the ground. Sophomore running back Will Shipley has powered the team's rushing attack, as he's run for 1,092 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
North Carolina's defense hasn't fared well against the run or the pass, though. In fact, the Tar Heels rank 13th in the ACC in run defense (169.7 rushing yards allowed per game) and last in pass defense (273 passing yards allowed per contest). Even in their wins, their opponents have put up some big yardage totals and a lot of points.
After scoring 30 or more points in each of its past three games, Clemson should keep its offensive momentum going, as it will likely have no trouble moving the ball against North Carolina. Uiagalelei could have his best performance in quite some time, too.
When North Carolina Has the Ball
North Carolina's defense may have given up a lot of points during the regular season, but its offense is capable of putting up quite a few itself. That's why the Tar Heels are 9-3 and have made it to the ACC Championship Game after all.
Ranked No. 1 in the conference in both total offense and passing offense, North Carolina has been led by the stellar play of redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye. He's passed for 3,847 yards, 35 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he's also led the team in rushing with 629 yards and six TDs.
Maye has some talented playmakers around him, but his arm and legs are the primary reasons for the Tar Heels' offensive success. And Clemson could have some trouble trying to prevent him from making big plays.
Clemson ranked ninth in the ACC in pass defense (226.4 passing yards allowed per game) and was much better at stopping the run. So North Carolina should lean on Maye to make things happen through the air, much as it has done for most of the season.
Predictions
This matchup should be a high-scoring affair that could go either way, even though Clemson hasn't lost to an ACC opponent all season. North Carolina may have struggled of late, but Maye could get it back on track with a statement victory on Saturday.
The Tigers are the better overall team, and they typically don't have much trouble in conference play (outside of a close game here or there). They have an offense capable of keeping up with the Tar Heels, and they clearly have the edge between the two defenses.
Even though Clemson is unlikely to reach the College Football Playoff regardless of the outcome, it should be motivated to reclaim the ACC title. So expect Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney to get his team ready to play for that reason.
It may take until late in the fourth quarter for Saturday's game to be decided. But when it's over, Clemson should be on top. The Tigers will score a late touchdown to put away the Tar Heels, who will run out of time to respond.
Prediction: Clemson 44, North Carolina 38