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Clemson vs. Louisville: 5 players to watch

By Jake Goldstein-Street

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals stiff-arms Van Smith #23 of the Clemson Tigers during the game at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals stiff-arms Van Smith #23 of the Clemson Tigers during the game at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jaire Alexander (10) warms up before the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Louisville Cardinals on September 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jaire Alexander (10) warms up before the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Louisville Cardinals on September 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Jaire Alexander, Louisville, CB

Jaire Alexander is one of the aforementioned preseason All-Americans on this Louisville Cardinals team. His defense in the secondary has been outstanding throughout his career. It would be a mistake for the Tigers quarterback to test him on Saturday.

In 2016, Alexander led the team with five interceptions and nine pass break ups. He plays so well in coverage that it’s almost a blessing when passers throw it his way because it almost certainly means an incompletion is coming.

At the moment, it is unclear if the star cornerback will even be able to play against the Tigers, as he suffered a knee injury in the first half of the season opener and hasn’t played since. Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino said Monday that Alexander is “day-to-day” and that they want to wait until he is 100 percent.

Alexander has proven himself to have Clemson’s number. In last season’s showdown, he picked off two passes from Deshaun Watson. One of those came in the end zone and stopped a game-changing score. Additionally, he forced a fumble in the red zone, as well.

The junior’s playing status will definitely be something to watch as the game nears. It is likely that no one will be sure if he’ll dress until game time. Without him, Clemson will be able to open up the offense on both sides of the field. Alexander virtually shuts down whoever he is covering.

Ronald Walker has been filling in for the junior since suffering the injury against Purdue.

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