The Last Look: Florida State

The Clemson Tigers are looking to clinch the Atlantic division for the third consecutive year, but they’ll have to get by in-conference rival Florida State to do so.

This is not the matchup that everyone expected it to be at the beginning of the season as the Seminoles come limping into Death Valley with five losses. Nothing would give this season a silver lining like spoiling Clemson’s season.

Here are a few final things to look for as we approach kickoff:

Kelly Bryant’s Deep Ball

Bryant played a great game against N.C. State, especially in the second half, but that was overshadowed by his inability to complete deep shots down the field.

The junior quarterback missed on all 10 of his throws 15 yards or more downfield in Raleigh, which caused moans and groans from the orange faithful. A few of them were sure touchdowns.

Even with Bryant not being able to connect on all of those throws, still throwing the ball itself down the field helps the offense by giving opposing defenses those looks.

“What you’re seeing now is you’re seeing some more of the short, quick outs coming back into play because the guys know that hey, we’re going to throw the ball behind him and honestly I think when they get out there,” Tony Elliott said. “It’s one thing to see it on film. But when you get out there, and you’ve got run stride for stride with Deon, you know how fast he is.”

Bryant will continue to throw the ball down the field this afternoon, and he will need to connect on those throws if Clemson’s offense is going to take that next step.

Cam Akers vs. Clemson’s Defensive Front

A memory that haunts Clemson’s defense is how Dalvin Cook carved up the defense year after year. 

It seemed that every year there was a long run for him against the Tigers and all you could see was a blurred number four running down the sideline. 

Cam Akers isn’t Cook, but he’s close.

The freshman averages 5.5 yards per carry and has 695 yards and three touchdowns so far this season.

Florida State runs the same type of offense that N.C. State runs and the Tigers are going to have to do a heck of a job defending the stretch run, something Brent Venables seemed most concerned about this week.

It all starts up front in the trenches, and Clemson’s defense ranks 21st in the country in rushing defense. They only give up 122.9 yards on the ground a game and 3.28 yards per carry.

The Seminoles average four yards a carry and get around 140 yards a game on the ground. Advantage: Clemson, in that department.

Florida State’s offensive line has not gotten any better, while Clemson’s defensive front remains its most influential group. 

Clemson ranks 13th in the country in total defense, while the ‘Noles rank 112 of total offense, one spot ahead of South Carolina.

Their offense hasn’t been the best, but Akers will look to give Clemson’s defense the same type of nightmares Cook gave them.

It’s still Clemson-Florida State

Sure, the Seminoles are coming into Death Valley fighting to remain bowl eligible instead of for the division. 

But to Dabo Swinney, this is still the game that everyone thought it was going to be back in August.

“A lot of people thought back in August that it would come down to Clemson and Florida State. Nothing has changed, whether we're undefeated or they're undefeated,” Swinney said. “We have to win the game to win the division. So there is zero change.”

Swinney said that they still beat Clemson in recruiting consistently and they also caught a few bad breaks this season.

The Seminoles have nothing to lose this weekend and Clemson has everything to lose. To the fans, this game still should matter, and the atmosphere should be incredible for the rivalry game.

Swinney has his team with the right mindset to not take Florida State lightly. Because of that, the Tigers will come out looking to start fast.

Florida State’s woes on offense will be too much to overcome, and they should not score more than 20 points this afternoon.

Prediction: Clemson wins 35-17