The Clemson Tigers cross over into Florida to Doak Campbell Stadium to take on the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, October 29th, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The football game will be shown on the ABC Network for your viewing entertainment. The Tigers are a -4 point favorite and the total rests at 60.
In last season’s match-up in Death Valley, Clemson entered the game as the number one team in the nation. They held the Seminoles to only six points in the second half of the contest and came away with a 23-13 victory over Florida State.
#3 Clemson (7-1):
Clemson surrendered almost 400 yards of total offense to the North Carolina State Wolf Pack two weeks ago and turned the ball over four different times. Fortunately, they faced a school whose kicker went 1-4 and escaped with a 24-17 victory in overtime.
Clemson’s quarterback Deshaun Watson didn’t have his best game last week. In fact, he threw his first pick-six in almost two years. Judging from the past, he should have a bounce back performance in Florida on Friday. In 2016, the signal-caller has tossed for 1,950 yards on 164 completions with 20 touchdowns and eight picks.
The Tiger’s running game has struggled some this year, but they seem to be getting better as the season moves along. Running back Wayne Gallman is coach Dabo Sweeny’s first choice out of the back field.
This year, he has carried the rock 90 times for almost 500 yards and five scores. Quarterback Deshaun Watson isn’t afraid to advance the football with his feet either, The multi-talented player has ran the rock 70 times for almost 275 yards and another score.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson loves to spread the ball around to plenty of capable receivers. Seven different wide outs have caught over 10 passes in 2016 and all but one have found a trip to the promised land. Mike Williams leads the way, with 39 catches for 578 yards and four scores.
For starters, Clemson is giving up less 298 yards per ball game. That effort is good enough to place them in at eighth in the country. Opposing quarterbacks have found it hard to do much of anything against the Tigers secondary. A big reason why is the pressure that their talented defensive line puts on them. Clemson is eighth in the country against the pass, allowing only 166 yards a game.
#14 Florida State (5-2):
Florida State’s game last week was an ugly one. Wake Forest and the Seminoles combined for seven turnovers. To make matters worse, the two offenses only combined for 23 points. Luckily, Florida State had 17 of them and left with their fifth win of the season.
Freshmen quarterback Deondre Francois wasn’t the reason why Wake Forest kept taking the ball away from the Seminoles. He actually played well, finding his favorite wide out Travis Rudolph 13 times for almost 240 yards. His complete body of work through seven games is, 138 completions for 1.876 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Running back Delvin Cook opener last years game against the Tigers with a 75 yard touchdown scamper. After a slow start in 2016, he has accumulated 900 yards on 159 carries with seven trips to the back of the end zone. Deondre Francois also has gained 145 yards and has three rushing scores.
Travis Rudolph’s 238 yard performance against Wake Forest last week was the fourth best out-put by a Florida State receiver in history. This year, he has tallied 32 catches for just under 500 yards and three scores. Jesus Wilson has also pitched in 30 receptions for just under 400 yards and another red zone appearance.
The Seminoles have seemed to right their defensive ship over the last few games. After giving up 177 points in their first five contests (35.4 ppg), they held the Hurricanes to just 19 and only gave way to two field goals against the Demon Deacons. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker is becoming a force to be reckoned with. The shifty defender is second in the nation in sacks with 8.5, thanks to two more against Wake Forest.
Trends and Notes:
The Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The Seminoles are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
The Under is 5-2 in the Tigers last 7 games overall.
The Under is 5-1 in the Seminoles last 6 conference games.
The Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Game Predictions:
Clemson needs to come into this game against the Seminoles prepared. Florida state is clinging to the hopes that a victory here could keep them alive for a spot in the college football playoffs.
Florida State is out of options in 2016, their two loses have all but sealed their championship hopes. The Clemson defensive front will be the biggest test freshman Deondre Francois has ever faced. The Seminoles have to get Delvin Cook going in the running game so Clemson can’t pin their ears and go after the greenhorn.
Unfortunately for Florida State, the Tigers are just to strong in all facets of the game. Deshaun Watson has been here and done that against Florida State. The numbers reflect that it will be the case again. The Seminoles have repeatedly started slow this season, so take advantage and jump on Clemson to be up by a field goal or more by halftime.
