Howard's Rock, a full stadium and an FCS visitor with a pirate's spirit. Charleston Southern (3-3) comes to Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC) at noon on ACC Network looking for the kind of afternoon a small program remembers for decades.
Charleston Southern insider Rafe Guilliard refuses to drop the pirate voice and points to a Buccaneer offense that just scored 49 points in a win over South Carolina State. Hakeem Watters has six rushing touchdowns, and Mekhi Campfield has four touchdown catches. Clemson insider Dixie-Lynn Pruitt, a former Tiger Band flag captain, says the Tigers' open week was all about cleaning up after a 41-13 loss to Miami on Oct. 3.
For Clemson, it's a chance to restore a little rhythm. Tait Reynolds leads the team with 816 passing yards, Gideon Davidson has four rushing touchdowns, and Bryant Wesco Jr. leads the receivers. Christopher Vizzina is still working back from an elbow injury, so the quarterback rotation is worth watching. Wind gusts in the mid-20s could make the passing game choppy, and a bigger, deeper Clemson roster should wear on the Buccaneers as the afternoon goes on.
Our call: Clemson 49, Charleston Southern 8.