U of L-Clemson glance: Matchups, TV times

MATCHUP: Louisville at Clemson, Memorial Stadium, 3:30 p.m.

RECORDS: Louisville (5-1, 3-1 ACC); Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC)

ON THE AIR: TV: ESPNU. Radio: WHAS-840, WKRD-790.

FAVORITE: Clemson by 9 1/2.

SERIES: First meeting between the programs.

COACHES: Louisville: Bobby Petrino (46-10, fifth season). Clemson: Dabo Swinney (54-25, seventh season).

Story lines

Third downs. What a collision of great stats: Louisville is the best defense in the country on third downs, only allowing opponents to convert 23 percent (21 of 91) of their third downs into first downs. Clemson's offense, on the other hand, is one of the best in the nation (20th) in converting third downs, having made 44 first downs in 91 tries, which is good for 48.3 percent. But the past two-plus games have been even better since freshman Deshaun Watson became the full-time QB. Clemson's converted 27 of 48 third downs with Watson at the helm, up 17 percent from the first two-plus games, when Clemson was 17 of 43 on third down.

Big-game performance. While the season opener against Miami was an important game for historic reasons, Miami itself, at this point, is an above-average football program. This game presents a stern challenge against one of college football's elite programs in the past five years or so. Clemson is one of the two powerhouse programs in the ACC, and how Louisville fares on Saturday will say a lot about how much more (or less) work the Cards must do to catch up.

Blocking Beasley and Mauldin. This game features two of the top pass rushers in college football in Clemson's Vic Beasley and Louisville's Lorenzo Mauldin. Both teams' offensive lines have struggled with inconsistency, so how they block, or attempt to block, these two future NFL players could have a big impact on the final score.

Running games? Louisville tailback Brandon Radcliff's had two consecutive 100-yard, two-touchdown performances. Dominique Brown ran for 100-plus yards against Miami, and LJ Scott hit triple-digit rushing yards vs. Murray State. But U of L ranks in the 70s nationally in rushing. So does Clemson. Can either team get a rushing attack going on Saturday?

Players to watch

LOUISVILLE

DeVante Parker

#9 | WR | SENIOR

If there wasn't a question about which quarterback will start on Saturday, the status of star receiver DeVante Parker would probably be the biggest item of intrigue. How healthy the wideout is could go a long way toward how explosive Louisville's offense is. Bobby Petrino said Parker was sore after practicing for three days with his team, so how Parker responded to treatment Thursday and Friday could determine how much, or if, he plays.

CLEMSON

Deshaun Watson

#4 | QB | FRESHMAN

The star dual-threat quarterback faces an interesting task: Doing enough against the top defense in the nation to win Saturday's game. The arguments come from every direction -- Louisville hasn't faced an offense as good as Clemson's. That point is fair, but numbers are numbers, and strength of opponents or not, Louisville is, right now, the best defense in the country. Watson's running and big-play ability must come out for Clemson to win.

​TALE OF THE TAPE

Avg. points scored: U of L 33.3, Clemson 40.4

Avg. points allowed: U of L 12.7, Clemson 22

Avg. yards rushing: U of L 156.5, Clemson 155

Avg. yards passing: U of L 231.8, Clemson 335.8

Opp. yards rushing: U of L 58.3, Clemson 110.6

Opp. yards passing: U of L171.8, Clemson 180.2

Turnover margin: U of L +2, Clemson +4