At the beginning of the season, this was the game every ACC football fan had highlighted on their calendars, the two top teams of the ACC going head to head. Florida State is looking to continue their dominance as the number one team in the country, and Clemson is looking to make up for the beating they took at the Seminoles’ hands last year on their own turf.
Keys for Florida St.: When Clemson got smacked by Georgia, it was because Todd Gurley and the Dawgs ran the ball all over Clemson. Of course, Florida State doesn’t have the same level of running weapons that Georgia does, but they do have an All-American offensive line that is perfectly capable of keeping the chains moving against the Tiger defense. Since Jameis Winston is being forced to sit out the first half, establishing the run game is of the utmost importance. If Florida State can get a run game going in the first half, then Winston’s spark in the second will be of even bigger value for the ‘Noles. If you’re Florida State, you’ve gotta let Jameis be Jameis when he comes in the game. I don’t see Clemson’s D having an answer for both a well established run game AND a Heisman Trophy winner.
Keys for Clemson: Clemson is going to utilize a two quarterback system versus Florida State. Senior Cole Stoudt and freshman Deshaun Watson both have to play at the top of their games because Florida State’s front seven can bring the heat in the pass rush. Clemson is going to need to mix up its offensive sets with the two quarterbacks in order to keep the Seminole defense on its toes. On defense, Clemson needs to establish itself in the first half. While Florida State is likely to try to establish a run game without Jameis Winston on the field, Clemson has an opportunity to fluster the FSU offense and get out to a hot start. In order to do that, they’ll need to be strong on the front line and stop the run, and then get after FSU quarterback Sean Maguire. Without an effective run game, Maguire can be neutralized which will give the Clemson offense multiple opportunities to hang around on the scoreboard.
X-Factors: This game is likely to come down to a battle of momentum. On paper, Clemson has the advantage given Florida State’s MVP will start the game on the sidelines wearing a baseball hat and not a helmet. However, let’s not forget that FSU is the defending national champion, and they are talented beyond their star quarterback. Unfortunately for Clemson, there will be 84,000 wild Seminole fans chopping away at every snap, and they are a ruthless crowd when Clemson comes to town. Given that the Tigers haven’t won in Tallahassee since 2006, I just don’t see them getting the momentum in their favor, even without Jameis on the field in the first half.
Prediction: FSU 38 Clemson 24
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2014
Time: 8:00 p.m. on ABC
Location: Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium – Tallahassee, FL
Spread: Florida State -16.5 (oddshark.com)
*Section Photo credit to Streeter Lecka, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Tyler Smith, Getty Images
