Clemson Tigers
Clemson Tigers The 3-2 Clemson Tigers travel to North Carolina on Thursday night to take on the 3-1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Odds makers are calling Wake a 2 1/2 point favorite.

At the start of the season this game was expected to be huge in the chase for the ACC Atlantic Division title. Although it may still prove to be, both teams are now coming off defeats. The no. 21 ranked Demon Deacons and the disappointing Tigers both look to bounce back from tough losses as they resume their quests for the division championship.

Clemson, ranked no. 9 in the preseason, got blown out 34-10 in its season opener against Alabama. After responding with three straight victories, the Tigers lost to conference rival Maryland 20-17 on Sept. 27.

"(We've had) ten days of hearing how terrible we are and how we can't win," junior running back C.J. Spiller said after losing to the Terrapins.
"But we'll come together."

Wake Forest has had the same amount of time to think about their 24-17 home loss to Navy.

"Any time you lose, it's pretty frustrating," nose guard Boo Robinson said. "Any time you lose, you're going to be down on yourself. One thing about football is you've always got next week."

With Wake Forest losing to an independent, their conference standing was not affected. The Deacons fully expect to put on a better showing as they seek to remain the only ACC Atlantic team without a conference loss.

The Deacons will need fewer mistakes against Clemson. Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner was responsible for five of the Demon Deacons' six turnovers against Navy.

"It's pretty deflating for an offense and a defense when you do that," said Skinner, who also lost a fumble. "It's all on me."

Look for Wake to be more prepared against the Tigers. Take the Demon Deacons and give the points.