Keys to Victory: Clemson vs. Florida State

The Match-Up:

Clemson (3-5, 2-4 ACC) vs. Florida State (4-4, 1-4 ACC)

Clemson will play its final home conference game of the 2025 season when the Tigers host the Florida State Seminoles today. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Clemson is set for 7 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

During the game, Clemson will recognize the 10 newest members of the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame, including three who made significant contributions to Clemson's football program: wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, late defensive tackle Chester McGlockton, and long-time sports information director Tim Bourret.

If Clemson loses, it would mark the first time in program history that the Tigers have lost five home games in a single season.

• Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 8, 7:00 p.m.
• TV: ACC Network (Wes Durham, Steve Addazio, Dana Boyle)
• Radio: Clemson Athletic Network (Don Munson, Tim Bourret, Reggie Merriweather)
• Venue: Memorial Stadium (Clemson, S.C.)

Storylines:

Today is the 22nd anniversary of one of the more shocking results in the history of the Clemson-Florida State series, a 26-10 Clemson win against No. 3 FSU on Nov. 8, 2003.

Unranked 5-4 Clemson was coming off a 45-17 loss at Wake Forest, and 8-1 Florida State had just won 37-0 at Notre Dame. To this day, Dabo Swinney, who was in his first year as Clemson’s wide receivers coach at the time, credits the win with helping save his tenure at Clemson, as the victory was the first of Tigers' four straight wins to end the season and led to a contract extension for Head Coach Tommy Bowden.

This year's game will be Florida State's 19th all-time visit to Clemson. The teams have evenly split their 18 previous meetings in Death Valley, 9-9, with almost identical point totals of 470-468. Of Clemson's 65 all-time Memorial Stadium foes, a Tiger win Saturday would make Florida State the 50th against which the Tigers have a winning record in the legendary venue.

Fun Fact:

Today’s game is expected to be a record-breaking one for senior offensive lineman Blake Miller. Miller has started at right tackle for all 49 games played by Clemson since his arrival as a true freshman in 2022. With another start this week, the iron man from Strongsville, Ohio will break Dalton Freeman’s school record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist (49 from 2009-12).

Miller (3,454) needs just 46 more offensive snaps this season to join Mitch Hyatt (3,754 from 2015-18) and Will Putnam (3,564 from 2019-23) as the third player on record in Clemson history to play 3,500 career snaps from scrimmage.

Series History:

• OVERALL: Clemson trails series, 21-16
• LAST MEETING: Oct. 5, 2024 (29-13, W)
• STREAK: Clemson, Won 1

Clemson is attempting to keep Florida State from winning consecutive games in Death Valley for the first time since the Seminoles won their first seven trips to Memorial Stadium from 1975 to 2001. Since that stretch, Clemson is 9-2 at home against Florida State.

Swanny’s Rant & Reality Check:

“Clemson almost has to win this game to stay bowl eligible. Lose to Florida State, and you’ve got to win out — and I just don’t see that happening. This is the one they’ve got to have.

At some point, the backups in the secondary have to be better than what we’ve seen. From a coaching standpoint, you’ve just got to say, “Alright, this guy’s a liability.” Florida State should not be better than Clemson, but Clemson’s not very good either.

If Clemson wins the turnover margin, they win the game. My confidence level? About 2%. But I’ll still take the Tigers — and trust they’ll figure it out.”

Keys to Victory:

1. Win the Turnover Battle

It’s cliché because it’s true — especially against a team that thrives on chaos like Florida State. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos can make magic happen, but he’s also prone to giving defenses a chance or two each game. Clemson’s secondary can’t afford to drop those gifts this time. The Tigers have been at their best when they play clean football — protecting the ball on offense and forcing opponents to pay for mistakes. If Cade Klubnik and company can avoid the costly turnovers while the defense makes a few big plays, Clemson’s chances skyrocket.

2. Stick With the Run Game

Clemson doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel on offense — they just need to lean on it. The Tigers’ attack has balance when the run game is involved early and often, and that means plenty of Adam Randall and freshman Gideon Davidson. Randall’s emergence as a downhill, tone-setting runner gives the offense a physical edge, while Davidson’s burst adds something fresh to the rotation. It’s not just about chewing clock; it’s about giving Klubnik the freedom to pick his moments instead of forcing plays. A steady ground game keeps Florida State’s offense right where Clemson wants it — watching from the sideline.

3. Slow Down Gus Malzahn’s Offense

Florida State can light up the scoreboard in a hurry, although Stanford shut them down earlier this season. Gus Malzahn’s system is built to stress defenses with pace and misdirection, and Castellanos is the perfect quarterback to make it go. The key for Clemson will be disrupting that rhythm — hitting Castellanos early, keeping him in the pocket, and forcing him to think instead of react. Linebackers Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz will have to play disciplined, and the defensive line has to win on first down. 

Prediction:

Clemson’s back home under the lights in Death Valley, and this one feels like a breaking-point kind of night. The Tigers have been uneven this season, and if they lose tonight, it will mark the first time in program history that they’ve lost five games in Death Valley in a single season. 

The Tigers don’t need to be perfect — just composed. If the Tigers protect the football, commit to the run, and make Florida State’s offense earn every yard, they’ll give themselves every chance to turn Death Valley into a Saturday night celebration.

The Pick: Clemson 35, FSU 27

Season Record: 4-4

Swanny’s Predictions:

✅ = Correct Prediction