It’s been a rough season for both Clemson and Florida State, but there’s a pretty significant difference between these two football teams right now.
Clemson is getting embarrassed in the games it loses. Florida State, at least, is fighting.
The Tigers have suffered blowout losses to LSU and Miami, and Virginia Tech controlled them for four quarters in their own stadium. Florida State, meanwhile, has lost four games by a combined 39 points.
Neither program is where it wants to be, but I’ve seen a lot more fight out of the Seminoles.
We’ll see what happens when these two struggling ACC programs get together Saturday night in Tallahassee. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Florida State’s Third-Down Problems
Can Florida State get off the field on third down?
That has been their kryptonite all season long. They’re 109th in the country, and it’s not just a matter of giving up third-and-short situations. We’re talking about third-and-10, third-and-15. They just cannot get off the field.
Luckily for Florida State, Clemson doesn’t exactly have an offense that’s been moving the football successfully.
The Seminoles don’t rank inside the top 100 in any defensive statistic we looked at, and Clemson doesn’t rank inside the top 100 in any offensive statistic except rushing, where they’re 80th.
Here’s another crazy statistic: Clemson is the only team in the country whose offense hasn’t accounted for more than half of its total points scored this season.
That’s how bad this offense has been.
Can Clemson’s Defense Win This Game?
If Clemson is going to win this football game, its defense is going to have to be the reason why.
The Tigers are basically the ACC version of Oklahoma at this point. Their defense has to show up every weekend, create opportunities and potentially score a touchdown to give them a fighting chance.
And to Clemson’s credit, that defense has been really respectable considering how often the offense leaves it on the field.
That brings us to Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels.
He’s been very up and down, and Clemson’s defense is going to put him under pressure. They play a lot of man coverage, they blitz, and they’re going to get after him.
I can absolutely envision Daniels rolling to his right, thinking he can make a throw toward the sideline, and Ashton Hampton picking it off.
That could happen two or three times in this game, and that would be catastrophic for Florida State.
Duce Robinson vs. Ashton Hampton
Now here’s a matchup I’m really looking forward to watching: Duce Robinson against Hampton.
That’s going to be good television. That’s an NFL scout watch right there.
Robinson is a big, physical receiver, but he needs to demonstrate that he can beat press-man coverage against a cornerback with Hampton’s ability.
He’s going to have NFL scouts evaluating whether he can consistently win those matchups at the next level or whether his future is ultimately at tight end.
And Hampton is a tough assignment. This kid is a freak.
Clemson’s secondary is going to need to force turnovers or, at the very least, prevent explosive plays. That’s something Florida State has done pretty well this season, particularly through the passing game.
This matchup between Robinson and Hampton could have a significant impact on how much success the Seminoles find throwing the football.
Clemson vs. FSU Best Bet & Prediction
I’ve got Florida State winning this football game 27-17.
That being said, the pick is Florida State -5.5 at Hard Rock Bet.
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