Clemson starting center Ryan Norton out with knee injury

They already have 249 rushing yards this season and have made even more strides through the air.

The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN.

“I think we respect them very much, their defense”.

Personal prediction based off of zero inside information: Bolin starts but there’s a package for Jackson early in the 2nd or 3rd quarter. The slender, 6-foot-2 sophomore understands Louisville will be another step up in competition for the Tigers along with the chance to display his skills to a larger audience as the showcase game Thursday night.

3) The offensive line is weak. Josh Harvey-Clemons is an excellent safety, but the Louisville defensive backs aren’t what they were last season. The Cardinals will challenge the Tigers with a multiple formations and tall receivers Swinney says will fight Clemson’s talented secondary for balls. “Our attitude and our approach to our preparation has been good”. Or, like the first two games, will Louisville mix and match as needed throughout the game?

Louisville has rarely faced a must-win situation like the one looming against No. 11 Clemson: Avoiding an 0-3 start for the first time since 1984.

And if U of L stumbles, the schedule doesn’t ease up much. So if Clemson wins, it presents the realistic possibility U of L could start 1-5 or 2-4.

Now blow out the candles and go beat Louisville. Bonnafon also led U of L to an upset win at Notre Dame last season.

The first two non-conference games could be quickly forgotten, and the Cards could immediately reestablish themselves as contenders in the league.

“We don’t have any illusions going up there that this isn’t going to be a 60-minute, all-in, all-hands-on-deck slugfest”, Swinney said. “That’s the biggest thing, being able to finish, get our hands in the proper position, drive our feet”.

Topping the Tigers is easier said than done.

Clemson (2-0) had little trouble with FCS opponent Wofford (a 49-10 victory) in its opener and new FBS member Appalachian State (41-10) last week. He’s completing 77.1 percent of his passes and is also a threat to run.

WATSON’S BACK: Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was a freshman on an unstoppable two-week run in 2014 when an injury against Louisville sidelined him for a month. “Louisville is going to come in hungry, so it’s going to be a great test for us”. “We’re playing a good team in Clemson; their defense doesn’t look like they’ve missed a beat”.

“Our first group has been dominant”, Swinney said. They’ve got a lot of two gap players up front. “This is what I came to Clemson for – games like this, a chance to play on national television”.

Watson has thrown for 442 yards and five touchdowns, playing one series into the third quarter before spending the rest of the two games on the sidelines. Swinney said Bolin had “great command” of the offense when he was in but also noted that “it’s unbelievable the amount of time (Jackson) buys” with his legs.

Petrino’s offense is averaging 27.5 points per game and is unsettled on a primary quarterback.

“You’ve really got to have that desire and want-to, and really love the game”, Watson said.