Clemson vs Wake Forest football kickoff time, odds, TV channel, stream, radio, weather

Clemson football can take a step toward its next 2022 goal — winning the division — when it visits reigning ACC Atlantic champion Wake Forest this weekend.

Here’s your guide to Saturday’s game, which marks only the third time (and first since 1950) in their series history that Clemson and Wake Forest have met as ranked opponents.

Clemson vs. Wake Forest game, TV info

Who: No. 5 Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC) at No. 21 Wake Forest (3-0, 0-0 ACC)

When: Noon Saturday

Where: Truist Field, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

TV: ABC

Broadcast crew: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath

Stream: via ESPN or the ESPN app

Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area, 93.1 FM in Columbia and 98.5 in Charleston (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)

Satellite radio: Sirius or XM 81, Internet/App 81

Series history: Clemson leads 69-17-1; Clemson has won last 13

Clemson vs. Wake Forest Vegas odds

Clemson is a consensus seven-point favorite against Wake Forest, according to VegasInsider. Both teams are 2-1 against the spread this season.

Weather forecast for Winston-Salem, NC

Partly cloudy skies (but a minimal chance of rain) with a high of 75 degrees and 5 to 10 mph winds, according to Weather.com.

Top storylines for the game

• Clemson’s health could go a long way in determining how much of a shootout this game is. Coach Dabo Swinney insists the team’s in a “good spot” injury-wise, but five defensive starters are TBD: defensive end Xavier Thomas (foot), defensive tackle Tyler Davis (undisclosed), safety Andrew Mukuba (elbow), cornerback Sheridan Jones (neck/shoulder stinger) and cornerback Nate Wiggins (hip flexor). Clemson’s pass defense especially struggled when the latter two weren’t playing. The Tigers’ pregame availability report, issued 90 minutes before kickoff, will give final clarity on who can play.

• Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee missed last week’s game against Louisiana Tech after the death of his 15-year-old younger sister, Ella, who’d been battling a rare form of brain cancer. A host of Clemson coaches and players attended Ella’s funeral in Maryland this Tuesday to support Bryan and his family. Bresee is back with the team this week and expected to play against Wake Forest in what should be an emotional return.

• Swinney and offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter faced questions this week about the usage of Will Shipley. He torched Louisiana Tech for 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns but did it on just 11 carries, continuing a trend in which he’s only commanded 43% of Clemson’s running back carries. The Tigers want to keep backups Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah involved but are also willing to “hang their hat” on Shipley, as Streeter put it. Do his touch numbers change against a stronger ACC opponent?

• Backup receiver Dacari Collins left the program this week with intent to transfer after struggling to get on the field in 2022. Swinney admitted Wednesday: “I don’t think he liked where he is on the depth chart.” Collins’ departure opens up more opportunities for true freshman receivers Antonio Williams and Adam Randall, both of whom already out-snapped Collins against Louisiana Tech and have flashed serious talent.

Players to watch for Tigers, Demon Deacons

• Clemson WR Antonio Williams: The true freshman slot man looks like a star in the making. He had a career-long 38-yard catch and added his first career touchdown on a 19-yard fade route in Clemson’s win over Louisiana Tech.

• Clemson DB Malcolm Greene: Greene is quickly establishing himself as a playmaker in a Clemson secondary that’s been shaky at times. After forcing a fumble last week, he intercepted Louisiana Tech in the red zone during a key third-quarter run.

• Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman: Any conversation about the Demon Deacons must include Hartman, who became the program’s all-time leading passer against Liberty. In two games since returning from a blood clot scare, Hartman has seven touchdowns against two interceptions and a 162.8 quarterback rating.

• Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry: The reigning first-team all-conference pick has a team-high 222 receiving yards through three games. He should be a big factor, considering Wake Forest’s struggles running the ball and Clemson’s struggles stopping the pass.

Clemson 2022 football schedule

• Sept. 5: at Georgia Tech, 41-10 W

• Sept. 10: vs. Furman, 35-12 W

• Sept. 17: vs. Louisiana Tech, 48-20 W

• Sept. 24: at Wake Forest, noon (ABC)

• Oct. 1: vs. N.C. State

• Oct. 8: at Boston College

• Oct. 15: at Florida State

• Oct. 22: vs. Syracuse

• Oct. 29: OPEN

• Nov. 5: at Notre Dame, 7 p.m. (NBC)

• Nov. 12: vs. Louisville

• Nov. 19: vs. Miami

• Nov. 26: vs. South Carolina

Clemson 2022 depth chart

Offense

QB: DJ Uiagalelei (Cade Klubnik)

RB: Will Shipley (Kobe Pace or Phil Mafah)

Outside WR: Joseph Ngata (Adam Randall)

Outside WR: Beaux Collins or Beaux Collins

Slot WR: Brannon Spector (Antonio Williams)

TE: Davis Allen (Luke Price)

TE: Jake Briningstool (Sage Ennis)

LT: Jordan McFadden (Tristan Leigh)

LG: Marcus Tate (Collin Sadler or John Williams)

C: Will Putnam (Trent Howard or Ryan Linthicum)

RG: Walker Parks (Bryn Tucker)

RT: Blake Miller (Mitchell Mayes)

Defense

DE: KJ Henry (Kevin Swint)

DT: Bryan Bresee or Ruke Orhorhoro

DT: Tyler Davis or Ruke Orhorhoro

DE: Myles Murphy or Justin Mascoll

SLB/NB: Barrett Carter (Malcolm Greene or Wade Woodaz)

MLB: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. or Keith Maguire

WLB: Trenton Simpson (LaVonta Bentley)

CB: Sheridan Jones or Nate Wiggins

SS: Andrew Mukuba (R.J. Mickens)

FS: Jalyn Phillips or Tyler Venables

CB: Fred Davis II or Nate Wiggins

Special teams

PK: B.T. Potter (Robert Gunn III)

P: Aidan Swanson (B.T. Potter)

KO: B.T. Potter (Robert Gunn III)

LS (PK): Philip Florenzo (Holden Caspersen)

LS (P): Holden Caspersen (Philip Florenzo)

H: Drew Swinney (Clay Swinney)

PR: Will Taylor (Antonio Williams)

KOR: Will Shipley or Kobe Pace