N.C. State forecast: Kings of Queen

Buddy you’re an old man, poor man pleadin’ …
… with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day
You got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Somebody better put you back into your place.

Know I’ve already referenced it once or twice this week, but I must admit (perhaps as a cry for help) that I have had Queen’s “We Will Rock You” stuck in my head the entire week. In case you weren’t there in Death Valley last week, a number of fans with YouTube uploading capabilities can shed light on why – here, here and here, among others. And video cannot do justice the amount the stadium shook.

Sports has always been my passion in as much for its strategy, preparation, execution and, of course, the feeling of validation in winning. Professionally, this job has afforded me the pleasure of gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes of the sports world and allows me to tell the stories of the people involved.

The one common denominator, though, that I’ve gotten from both playing (back in the day, of course) and covering sports now is getting to experience the outpouring of emotion that can involved in the process from start to finish.

To see entire communities rally around their high school football or basketball teams en route to a state title. To see that USC cast of recruiting afterthoughts — Phil Petty, Sheldon Brown, Ryan Brewer & Co. – lift the Gamecocks to unprecedented bowl victories.

To witness firsthand the sense of betrayal and anger some USC players were wrought with when they hauled off with items from the locker room once their postseason was taken away because of the infamous brawl. Then there’s the passion that flows through the majority of SEC stadiums before, during and after any given game.

To see James Davis crying the day Tommy Bowden resigned. To be on the field when Davis and then Dabo Swinney had their names thunderously chanted in Death Valley.

The “We Will Rock You” chant at the end of last week’s games figures to go down as one of those moments I’ll remember for a while. To know what Clemson fans have endured for at least this decade, it seemed like the ultimate cathartic release from all the anxiety that has built up with year after year of shortcomings in big games.

Um, er, uh, is now the time to interrupt the sappy interlude to point out the Tigers could still choke? Didn’t think so.

Or the time to wonder what Memorial Stadium will be like if Clemson secures the Atlantic Division title in defeating Virginia next week?

Nah, that neither – if for no other reason than what are the odds the Tigers get two night home games in a row?

Saturday’s N.C. State game is about preventing somebody from putting Clemson back into its place.

It is, in my estimation, a muy dangerous game for the Tigers.

That, despite the fact N.C. State’s defensive back seven could be worse than FSU’s, if that’s possible. And despite the fact FSU had better offensive coaching and more offensive players across the board.

N.C. State is still drawing close to capacity crowds (announced), and its fan base cares, so I don’t think their atmosphere will be lacking regardless of the team’s 4-5, 1-4 record.

The Wolfies can score through the air, especially via big-play potential. WR Jarvis Williams has had two big games in the last three contests and leads the ACC with seven TD catches. WR Owen Spencer leads the nation in yards per catch (25.6). Both are 6-3, which occasionally spells trouble for 5-, er, -8 corner Chris Chancellor.

Plus Clemson QB Kyle Parker could easily give the Pack some momentum if someone makes him pay for the 2-3 throws per game in which the defense has a pick-6 if they make the play.

N.C. State QB Russell Wilson tends to make good decisions – something, well, FSU’s Christian Ponder had been doing until making a few boneheaded throws last week. Cause or effect for Clemson’s defensive prowess? Probably some of both. You can bet the Tigers have taken note of Wilson’s relatively elongated wind-up and will also try to use his lack of height against him.

My gut says this one’s going down to the wire, too.

Before this stretch, I refused to pick Clemson in a close game because it had rarely, if ever, shown the fortitude to win them.

By the same rationale, I cannot pick against them in this situation because of the roll the Tigers are on. At least 38 points in each of the last 4 games – didn’t see that coming a month ago.

Barring an unlikely Boston College loss, Clemson is a week away from potentially playing the other side to that Queen 45: “We Are the Champions.”

PREDICTION: Clemson 29, N.C. State 27