Staff Predictions for FSU-Clemson

Crazier upsets have happened in college football. While Florida State fans might not be excited for Saturday’s match-up in Death Valley, it’s a virtual guarantee that the players are. They just got a much-needed win against a team in Syracuse that actually beat Clemson earlier this season.

The transitive property is notoriously inaccurate, but it still provides a morale boost for a program in desperate need of one. Clemson has forced itself right back into playoff discussion and wants to finish out the season with three victories to bolster and ultimately cement that case.

Most have identified Clemson’s weaknesses by now. Kelly Bryant is a manageable (but not great) quarterback who struggles to air it out. The Clemson secondary is talented, but prone to errors due to youth. Florida State can reasonably take advantage of the first factor, but the second is an imposing task when freshman quarterback James Blackman has been inconsistent. Clemson’s job is comparatively easier, considering the five losses that have exposed every flaw within the Florida State team. One-dimensional offense, effort-deprived cornerbacks and linebackers, and a shaky offensive line are just a few of the problems that have persisted this year.

Florida State typically doesn’t find itself on the spoiler side. So what will ultimately happen this weekend? We here at The Daily Nole will give you our thoughts about the upcoming game. This week’s predictions are done by editor Mike Ferguson, staff writer Clint Eiland, site manager Edwin Collins, staff writer Josh Mixon and recruiting analyst Jay Brading.

Mike: After a nail-biting 27-24 win over Syracuse, Florida State has showed it still has some fight left in it and I expect the Seminoles to play inspired on Saturday. With that said, I don’t see FSU being able to consistently move the ball against a very good Clemson defense. On the other side, I also think Clemson’s slew of ball-carriers, which includes quarterback Kelly Bryant, will slowly wear FSU down. Tigers 31, Seminoles 13.

Clint: It’s hard to understate how necessary the win against Syracuse was last week. Coming into Death Valley at 2-6 would have caused a blowout of unheard proportions. Instead, Florida State is now on a slight upswing and will probably come out fired up against the Tigers. Despite the renewed effort, I can’t see the offense moving the ball in any impactful way. I don’t think Clemson will be able to separate until at least the third quarter however. At the end of the day, a paltry offensive showing means the FSU defense gets worn down and gives up the winning scores early in the fourth quarter. Tigers win, 31-14.

Edwin: I have faith that this team is getting better. Clemson is beatable — Syracuse proved that. FSU 27, Clemson 17.

Josh: I’ve tried to convince myself of any possible way the Seminoles can pull this one out, and I think ESPN’s Rece Davis said it best on College GameDay two weeks ago: “That ain’t happenin’”. Since this is a rivalry game, and results are normally pretty close, aside from FSU’s blowout win in 2013, I definitely predict the Noles to cover the spread. Unfortunately, that’s about the only moral victory they’ll take from this weekend. The win over Syracuse doesn’t make the issues on this team magically go away, and Clemson’s defensive line will have a field day against FSU’s offense. The Tigers will stack the box to stop Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick, and dare James Blackman to beat them downfield – something I don’t think he can do. I’ll take the Tigers, 38-21, with FSU barely covering the spread.

Jay: I’ll take Clemson at home, 38-13. The Tigers are a much better team than Florida State. It’s really as simple as that.