Florida State vs. Clemson has emerged as one of the more intense college football rivalries over the last decade, and the No. 4 Seminoles and Tigers are set to clash again on Saturday with bragging rights and an inside track to the ACC Championship Game on the line. Since 2005, this rivalry has propelled the winner to conference championship contention. The two teams have combined for 13 ACC title game appearances and 11 ACC titles over the last 14 years.
Now as the ACC enters its new division-less format, Clemson and Florida State carry the potential to play not just on Saturday, but again at the end of the season in the ACC Championship Game.
Florida State and Clemson Game Details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Memorial Stadium – Clemson, South Carolina
TV: ABC
Live stream: Click here to watch live!!
Florida State:
Quarterback: Florida State’s quarterback will be tasked with leading the offense and making crucial plays.
Running Back: A strong running game can be a game-changer, and Florida State has the talent to make it happen.
Defense: A stout defense can disrupt Clemson’s potent offense and give Florida State a shot at victory.
Clemson:
Quarterback: Clemson’s quarterback is often the centerpiece of their offensive strategy, known for making precise passes and big plays.
Defensive Line: Clemson’s defense is known for its speed and aggression. Their defensive line can be a game-changer by pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run.
Team Florida State and Clemson Preview
Florida State’s offense is streaking: With quarterback Jordan Travis leading the way, the Seminoles have scored at least 30 points in nine straight games. That’s the longest active streak in the ACC, the second-longest active streak in the country and the program’s longest stretch since the 2013 national championship season. The combination of Mike Norvell’s system, Travis’ mastery of said system and the addition of key transfer portal skill players like wide receiver Keon Coleman have this offense looking like a group that could carry the team to a national title.
Tigers roaring back from Labor Day disappointment: To say the Tigers started the season slow would be an understatement. Clemson dropped its opener 28-7 to Duke and found itself in a 14-14 tie with FCS Charleston Southern in Week 2 before seemingly flipping a switch. Since then, we’ve seen a product far closer to the Clemson standard. Since the start of the second quarter of the Charleston Southern game, the Tigers have outscored the competition 100-17 with 14 of those points coming in garbage time of a blowout win against FAU.
56 years of rubbing the rock: Saturday will mark 56 years to the day that Clemson began rubbing Howard’s Rock before games. The anniversary is particularly notable as it coincides with a chance for Dabo Swinney to tie Frank Howard with 100 career conference wins at Clemson. With a win, Swinney would also join Bobby Bowden as the only coaches in ACC history with 100 regular-season conference wins.