Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - The 24th-ranked Clemson Tigers will try to keep their hold on the Atlantic Division title this weekend, as they take on the NC State Wolfpack in an ACC affair at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Tigers continued their run in ACC play last weekend, as they rallied for a 40-24 triumph over Florida State to move into first place in the Atlantic Division.

"Championship teams find a way to win games, and that's what we've been teaching these guys," said head coach Dabo Swinney. "And they found a way to win, despite many obstacles. This team rose up in the fourth quarter and refused to lose. "

Clemson has now overcome an 0-2 start to league play by winning its last four games, as it sits just ahead of Boston College (3-2) for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The newly ranked Tigers can clinch a spot in the ACC championship game with wins over NC State and Virginia in their two remaining league games, as they hold the tie-breaker with Boston College by virtue of their win over the Eagles in September. Clemson could even claim the division crown as early as this weekend, if it was to defeat NC State and Boston College was to lose at Virginia.

As for NC State, it finally broke back into the win column after going without a victory in October, picking up its first ACC win with a 38-31 triumph of Maryland this past weekend.

"You have to give us credit," said head coach Tom O'Brien. "We knew coming in they were going to get us and we were going to get them. Fortunately, we were able to get a little bit more of them today."

The win ended a four-game slide and pushed the Wolfpack to 4-5 overall, as the program kept its slim postseason hopes alive for another week.

With regard to the all-time series, Clemson owns a 49-27-1 lead over NC State and the Tigers have won the past five meetings, including a 27-9 victory last season.

The Tigers missed two field goals, three extra-point tries and committed several foolish penalties, but overcame all that by scoring 19-unanswered points in the fourth quarter of a 40-24 win over FSU this past weekend.

"During the fourth quarter, we used a lot of mental toughness to overcome the pressures of the game," said coach Swinney. "We made mistakes, but we did capitalize on critical moments, and took the momentum in the fourth quarter."

Clemson finished the game with 483 total yards of offense, well above its season average of 362.0 ypg, and C.J. Spiller put on a show for the home crowd. The versatile and speedy back broke his own school record with 312 all- purpose yards, rushing for a career-best 165 yards and a score and catching three balls for 67 yards and another touchdown. It was another terrific performance by one of the most explosive players in the nation and Spiller now has 739 rushing yards and 334 receiving yards on the season. He has totaled 12 touchdowns, with three coming on kickoff returns and one on a punt return.

Spiller wasn't the only one who enjoyed a big performance against FSU, as quarterback Kyle Parker threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns. Parker has now thrown 14 touchdown passes on the campaign, establishing a new Clemson record by a freshman.

Jacoby Ford is one of Parker's top options in the passing attack and he leads the team with 37 receptions for 493 yards and four scores.

Clemson's defense did its part last game and forced five turnovers from FSU and that includes four interceptions by ACC passing leader Christian Ponder. Picking off passes in nothing new to the Tigers, though, as they are tied with Iowa for the national lead with 19 interceptions.

"Florida State throws the ball well, and I'm proud of our secondary's efforts tonight," said coach Swinney. "Overall, I'm really proud of the defensive efforts from our guys."

The Tigers did give up 392 total yards, which is well above the 290.7 ypg they are allowing on the year, but they compensated with the turnover and a pair of sacks. The defense also held FSU to just seven points over the final three quarters, giving the offense time to win the game.

DeAndre McDaniel had five stops and a pick in the win and he is now tied for the national lead with eight interceptions on the year. The safety also heads the team in tackles, with 65.

The Wolfpack overcame four turnovers by gaining 482 total yards, as they slipped past Maryland over the weekend. NC State, which has committed 20 turnovers on the campaign, has had success moving the ball, averaging 417.2 ypg, so last weekend's performance wasn't a big shocker.

Despite three picks, quarterback Russell Wilson made the biggest difference for NC State, throwing for three scores and rushing for another. He kept several plays alive with his feet and finished the game with 343 yards on 25- of-38 pass attempts. It was a solid performance by Wilson, who has now completed 60.4 percent of his tosses, with 24 touchdowns on the season. He is also a threat with his legs, rushing for 294 yards and four more scores.

Jarvis Williams was Wilson's favorite target with seven receptions for 107 yards last weekend, while Darrell Davis had four catches for 54 yards and a score.

"We made some really big catches, especially on the boundary and on the deep balls," said coach O'Brien. "One advantage we have is size."

Toney Baker paced the ground attack with 75 yards on 19 carries against Maryland and he continues to lead the team in rushing, gaining 588 yards and six scores on the campaign.

Defensively, the Wolfpack played well against Maryland despite what the final score might indicate. NC State gave up a kickoff return and had a pick returned for a score by Maryland, so the defense was only at fault for two touchdowns.

"We tackled better this week but there is still more to work on before next week against Clemson," stated O'Brien.

NC State certainly did a good job of bringing down Maryland players, as the defense gave up just 270 total yards and only 14 first downs. The defense had only one sack, but that came at just the right time. With Maryland driving late in the game, Michael Lemon sacked NC State's quarterback and then two players later he broke through again and forced an uncatchable pass on fourth down that sealed the win.

End Willie Young forced the team's only turnover with an interception, giving NC State's defensive line its fourth pick of the year. The rest of the team has just three interceptions this season. Young, though, is more known for his pass rushing, as he paces the Wolfpack with seven sacks and 10 TFLs.