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North Carolina vs Clemson, ACC Championship Game preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info

By Charles Rahrig V

Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw the ball during the first halfagainst the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw the ball during the first halfagainst the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels vs No. 1 Clemson Tigers

Saturday, the biggest game in the ACC will take place when the No. 1 Clemson Tigers and the No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels battle in a game that will not only have a conference championship on the line, but playoff implications on the line as well.

With a win on Saturday, the Tigers will have their spot in the College Football Playoff locked up. If the Tar Heels pull the upset, they are going to make the committee think long and hard before excluding them. Both teams know what’s at stake and the game has the potential to be a classic.

Details for Saturday’s game are below.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2015
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Charlotte, NC
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
TV Info: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN App
Radio: Clemson radio, click here. North Carolina radio, click here.

Keys to Victory

The key to victory for Clemson on offense is real simple. Deshaun Watson has to make plays to show why he should be the Heisman Trophy winner. He’s going up against a very good North Carolina defense that doesn’t allow much through the air.

Vice versa, the Tar Heels are going to have to stop Watson on offense if they’re going to want a shot to win the ACC Championship and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Tar Heels defense has taken a big step forward this season and they’re rolling right now. They can’t let Watson escape from the pocket and beat them with his legs.

The same goes for the Clemson defense against North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams. All season long Williams has been as dangerous with his feet just as much as he’s been dangerous through the air. He will burn the defense if he gets out to the edge.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Clemson -4.5
Moneyline: Clemson -205
O/U: 67.5

Prediction

It seems that everyone is expecting Clemson to slip up at some point. However, they have made a point all season that they aren’t going to do that this year. They’ve gotten this far to date with tremendous play and there’s no reason they can’t finish the job against a good North Carolina team on Saturday.

Deshaun Watson will go out and prove why he should be the Heisman Trophy winner. He’s going to make the plays necessary for the Clemson Tigers to pull through and win. North Carolina will test them early, but ultimately it will be Clemson who pulls away with the win.

The Tigers will punch their spot to the playoff.

Final Score: Clemson 42, North Carolina 24

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