No. 4 Clemson vs Florida State: Our Take

Each week we give you three keys to the game and our staff predictions. Here is a look at today's opponent Florida State.

The Match Up:

#4 Clemson (8-1, 6-1) vs Florida State (3-5, 3-4)

Clemson's vs Florida State 2016 Highlights:

Clemson's @  Florida State 2015 Highlights:

All-Time Series:

Florida State leads: 20-10 
at Clemson: Florida State leads 8-6 
at Tallahassee: Florida State leads 12-4 
Last Meeting: Clemson 37-34 in 2016 
Last FSU Win: 23-17 (OT) in 2014 
Last 10 Meetings: 5-5 
Streak: Clemson has won 2 in row

Key 1: Put the 'Noles in a hole

Clemson has a chance to put something "turpentine won't wash off" on the Seminoles today. The Tigers, owners of the ACC prior to Florida State's arrival in 1992, have a chance for payback against an uber-talented, but disappointing Seminole team.

Remember these scores? 43-7, 57-0, 48-0, 54-7?  Who could forget the 51-14 thumping Clemson took in 2013. That was a matchup of top five teams in Death Valley, and led by Jameis Winston, FSU smashed Clemson. That, to some degree, is what life has been like against the Seminoles. 

Clemson's best win in the series history? A 35-14 victory in 2005. 

In fact, Clemson's 10 wins in the series, have only been by a combined total margin of victory of 98 points. Pick Florida State's wins in 1993 and 1998 and it totals a 105 point margin. 

Domination.

Two weeks ago, Florida State traveled north to Chestnut Hill, Massachusettes and looked lifeless against Boston College. You have to believe that FSU will show more heart and effort against Clemson.

The Tigers need to press the 'Noles defense early in an attempt to put FSU in a hole on the scoreboard. This would force a poor offensive line and quarterback James Blackman, to make plays downfield. 

© Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray scores a touchdown against Syracuse.

Blackman, a true freshman, has a chance to be a really good quarterback, so did Deondre Francois. Until Flordia State improves up front on the offensive side of the ball, Clemson should cause major headaches for Jimbo Fisher's club.

If Blackman gets going and finds his groove, the Seminoles might be able to test a limited Clemson secondary. On the season, he's thrown for 1,285 yards and eight touchdowns offset by seven interceptions.

However, if Clemson can get out in front of Flordia State on the scoreboard, I think the pressure shifts to their sidelines and a group that already seems fragile will crack under the weight of the Tigers stature and confidence. 

Key 2: Protect the football

As bad and Florida State has played this season,  you cannot deny the recruiting rankings. They've stacked talent on top of talent under Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles have had top ten recruiting classes each of the past five seasons.

The only team in college football that has recruited better is Alabama. 

That's not hyperbole, that's a fact. 

A ton of that talent is on the defensive side of the ball and even though FSU can't get to the ACC Championship, they can influence who goes. With a victory over Clemson, the Atlantic Division could very well belong to the Wolfpack.

Clemson is still the defending national champions and knocking them out of the ACC Championship, and the College Football Playoff would be a big moment for a Seminole team hoping to extend a 35-year bowl game streak. 

One way Florida State could find themselves in the winner's column after today's game is if they can win the turnover battle. Derwin James is a freakish athlete and can play all over the field. Look for defensive coordinator Charles Kellly to use James very aggressively against the Tigers.

Here is a key stat though, Florida State enters the contest -10 in turnover ratio. If they can win that battle, or even get a pick-six or a scoop and score, the outcome of the game could shift towards the underdogs.

Key 3: Win up front

Clemson's offensive line will have their hands full today. The Seminole defensive line is really, really good. Josh Sweat is a next-level dude and could cause major headaches. Earlier this week, Dabo Swinney said the Seminoles had some, "freaky dudes," and he is correct. 
If you lose battle after battle against that defensive line, Kelly Bryant will never find enough time to get in sync with the wideouts. Not to mention, Bryant's ankle, even though healthy, is a tweak away from being an issue.

Clemson's offensive line has battled against a great defensive line all season at practice. Hopefully, that work has paid off.

Much like last week against NC State, the line of scrimmage will be a big part of the outcome. The Seminoles have enough talent on their defensive line to force any quarterback to make terrible decisions. 

Prediction:

In July, if you had polled the country about who was going to not hold up their end of the deal in this matchup, 98% of the respondents would have said, "Clemson." The other 2% would have been labeled Florida Gator fans. 

Seriously, if you listened to college football experts, it was a no-brainer, Alabama and Florida State II was going to be an epic conclusion to the best opening act ever. Remember what they deemed that game? The G.O.A.T. - Greatest Opener of All-Time.

We may have gotten that sequel had Francois not gotten injured in the 4th quarter on a sack.

At running back, the 'Noles Cam Akers finally lived up to his promise last weekend against Syracuse.

Then this week, FSU got word of the surprising return of Jacques Patrick, who was thought to be lost for the year. Patrick will give it a go in Death Valley today. If either of those two guys has a big game, this one will be much more interesting than many expect.

Clemson seems to still be on the rise, and a third straight win over the Seminoles would increase the Tigers powerful presence on the recruiting trails in Florida. 

Clemson fans have waited a long time for a chance like this.

Even at 3-5, blowing out the Seminoles is a real possibility. Get this, FSU has scored just fifteen touchdowns in their eight games. That's the worst of any Power Five team and the third worst in college football.

The setting is right.

Can the Tigers deliver? 

Clemson Sports Talk

#4 Clemson vs Florida State - Clemson, SC - 3:30 ESPN

Final Score Predictions:

Best Prediction = 3 Points        Correct Prediction = 1 Point