FSU vs. Clemson Prediction, Game Preview

The lead in the ACC Atlantic Division rests in the balance when the Clemson Tigers (8-0) entertain the Florida State Seminoles (7-1). Check out the FSU vs. Clemson prediction and game preview.

Florida State vs. Clemson Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: ABC

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Why You Need To Care

No ACC matchup matters more each year than Florida State-Clemson, the league’s two heavyweights. This season is no different.

The Noles and the Tigers are the ACC’s premier programs … again. And the winner in Death Valley will likely represent the Atlantic Division in the league championship game … again. But Clemson has its eyes fixed on bigger prizes this season than just a conference crown. Clemson’s dreaming of the playoffs after rising up to No. 1 in the rankings with a win over Notre Dame, a resounding rout of Miami and last week’s deft escape of NC State in Raleigh. The Tigers are legit national title contenders, and this weekend is by far their biggest remaining hurdle to copping that coveted playoff berth.

Unlike the last three meetings, each won by Florida State, the Seminoles enter this showdown as the underdog. Expectations were lower for the Noles in 2015; replacing Jameis Winston and all. But then a 6-0 start had some wondering if this program was poised to quiet the critics and buck the odds. Oops. Two weeks ago, FSU fell to Georgia Tech on the final play to snap a nearly three-year regular-season winning streak. Does the three-time defending ACC champ have some fight left, or is it Clemson’s turn to reign above the conference?

Why Florida State Will Win

The Noles have the talent and the muscle memory for winning championships.

Florida State has been there and done that. And it harbors every bit as much talent as Clemson. And while CB Jalen Ramsey is the only household name this year, the defense has played very well, allowing no more than 24 points in a game. The Tigers have not been exceptional along the O-line this fall, which is going to create opportunities for FSU linemen DeMarcus Walker, Nile Lawrence-Stample, Derrick Nnadi and Josh Sweat to pressure the pocket. And while the Clemson D has been outstanding, it did show cracks in last week’s 56-41 win over the Wolfpack that the Noles hope to exploit with RB Dalvin Cook and WR Travis Rudolph, among others.

Why Clemson Will Win

Better quarterback. Healthier. More complete all-around team.

Where is Florida State clearly better than Clemson this fall, other than placekicker? It’s certainly not at quarterback, no matter the status of recently concussed Everett Golson. Deshaun Watson is peaking as a sophomore, bringing a championship-caliber mix of arm talent, athleticism and poise to the pocket. Watson is the offensive difference on Saturday afternoon, potentially elevating into the Heisman favorite, pending the LSU-Alabama outcome. The Tigers also boast a defensive bookend, comprised of ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, that’ll further complicate matters for Golson or Sean Maguire. The FSU O-line has been teetering all year, and Lawson, Dodd and WLB Ben Boulware are capable of shoving it off its axis.

Player Who Matters

So what’s up with Cook and Golson?

Cook is expected to play, though coming off an ankle injury is no way to enter a game with Clemson, which allows only three yards a carry. If Cook is hobbled, the feature role goes to 235-pound rookie Jacques Patrick, who ran very well last week versus Syracuse. The bigger question mark is at quarterback. Jimbo Fisher won’t commit to a starter just yet, so there’s a little intrigue at the position. And while Maguire was sharp tossing darts to Rudolph last Saturday, the Noles really need Golson’ big-game know-how in a tilt of this magnitude. Maguire did engineer last year’s victory over the Tigers, but the circumstances certainly have changed.

What’s Going To Happen?

It’s Clemson’s time, pressure to uphold the top ranking and all. And it won’t squander this opportunity in its own building.

The Tigers are playing better football than the Seminoles right now, with Watson as the face of that edge. No, this won’t be another six-touchdown outburst for No. 4, but he is ready to be the MVP of the game. The fact that Golson and Cook are anything less than full strength is an additional problem, because the Clemson defense is just itching to prove that last week’s awkward performance was an anomaly. Unless Cook dons a cape and performs like a superhero, a la the Miami game, the Tigers are ready to outclass the Noles. And it might not be that close in the final quarter, as the home team vents three years worth of rivalry frustration.