Clemson enters Saturday's game against North Carolina State with a chance to make school history.
The team has won six games in a row since losing to then-No. 4 ranked Florida State 49-37 on Sept. 22. The loss is the only blemish on the season for the Tigers, who are tied with the Seminoles for the lead in the ACC Atlantic division.
According to the Associated Press, if the Tigers beat the Wolfpack, it will be "Clemson's first 10-win regular season since 1981 when it won the national championship at 12-0."
Last season Clemson had a rough time with NC State, losing 37-13 even though the Tigers were ranked in the top 10. The team fell behind 27-3 at the half, but couldn't rally back.
"It was like, bam!" head coach Dabo Swinney remembered this week, according to the Associated Press.
Last year in 2011, the team was undefeated through eight games, but lost three of their last four of the season, including the upset-loss to North Carolina State.
"As an offense, we were pretty much embarrassed," Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd. "It should be a fun game."
The Tigers have been one of the most impressive teams in the ACC this season, scoring over 40 points per game, good for sixth in the nation. The team is ranked 12th in passing yards and 38th in rushing yards, gaining nearly 200 per game.
Boyd has put up some fantastic offensive numbers, passing for 2,941 yards and 28 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. Last Saturday he had three touchdowns in Clemson's 45-10 win against Maryland. He has also been a threat on the ground, ranking second on the team with 363 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
According to the Associated Press, "Boyd has now thrown for 13 touchdowns and 1,033 yards over the past three games -- and all 13 of those touchdowns have come in the first half."
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been explosive all season, ranking second in the nation with 14 touchdowns catches to go along with 66 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards.
Running back Andre Ellington has been nearly as good this year, rushing for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. His best game this season came in the opener against Auburn when he rushed for 228 yards for an average of 9.1 yards per carry.
"They've got playmakers at every spot on offense, a really tough challenge for the defense to defend," NC State head coach Tom O'Brien said.
North Carolina State is only 3-3 in the ACC, but are coming off an impressive 37-6 win against Wake Forest last Saturday. The team outgained the Demon Deacons by nearly 300 yards and was fueled by two touchdown passes from quarterback Mike Glennon.
The senior has been one of the most valuable parts of NC State's offense, ranking second in the ACC in passing yards with 2,910 this year.
"They've definitely earned our respect," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "And we're going to have to play better than we have all year."
The Wolfpack have struggles this season, losing two of the last three games, but came through against tough opponents, including in a 17-16 win against Florida State on Oct. 6 that ended the national title hopes for the Seminoles.
"It's definitely a huge game," North Carolina State cornerback Dontae Johnson said. "We're just ready for the challenge."
Clemson has a chance for a share at the ACC Atlantic division title, which would be its third in four years. The team must beat the Wolfpack and also have Florida State lose to Maryland.
"To be able to be a division champion three out of four years is a big step," Swinney said. "To be able to have back-to-back 10-win seasons in another big step. That's something we have talked a lot about."
Clemson has played well defensively as of late, allowing no more than 20 points in the last four games, including in a 38-17 win against Virginia Tech on Oct. 20.
The Tigers have one more game left after the Wolfpack, a home matchup against No. 9 ranked South Carolina next Saturday.
