The two teams played last year.

When No. 3 Clemson and No. 13 Auburn meet Saturday night, there will be some differences, Dabo Swinney said.

"Well, the biggest thing for us, we opened up with them last year, and I remember nobody really wanted to give us a lot of credit for that win early in the season," the Clemson coach said Wednesday. "But man, I really came away very impressed with Auburn and their personnel, and I think the biggest difference is last year they were unsettled at quarterback when we saw them. They played three or four guys against us.

"But just very impressed with their quarterback. They have solidified their depth. They've got really good skill, and you know, their running back led the SEC in yards per gain last year, good up front on both sides in the trenches there, very deep in the defensive line. Defensively, they'll be easily a top 10 defense in the country."



Deshaun Watson passed for 248 yards, including 174 to Mike Williams in his return from an injury, and Clemson escaped with a 19-13 victory over unranked Auburn last year.

Swinney said this time people won't feel the same way about Gus Malzahn's Tigers.

"It's just a complete team, and I think just the addition of (quarterback Jarrett) Stidham coming in and his understanding of what they want to do offensively and the nuances of the zone read and his ability to throw the football down the field with great poise, that's the biggest difference.

"But other than that, I mean, they're Auburn. I mean, they're always one of the most talented teams in the country, well-coached and physical. Not much has changed from that standpoint."

Last year, it was Kerryon Johnson carrying the load for the Auburn rushing attack, running for 94 yards on 23 carries. But Auburn manages just 87 total yards on the ground, thanks to negative plays.

Swinney, a native of Pelham, Alabama, was asked about the challenges of seeing Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway.

"Well, I mean, he's a 240-pound sledgehammer," Dwinney said. "He's hard to tackle, especially with all the misdirection that they incorporate into their offense and jet sweeps and this and that. Next thing you know they're splitting you in half with a 240-pound guy. He's very good and very durable, very consistent.

"Again, you don't luck up and lead the SEC in yards per gain. He's a great football player for sure, and I'm not sure about -- 21 is a great player, too. I know he got banged up last week. Not sure if he's -- where he is, but they've got an outstanding group of running backs."

Pettway returns to the lineup for the 6 p.m. game Saturday after serving a one-game suspension to open the season. It is perfect timing with the uncertainty surrounding the status of fellow running back Kerryon Johnson.