Opposing Views: FSU-Clemson Becoming One of the Nation’s Annual “Must-See” Rivalries

There isn’t quite the history or the deep-seeded hatred that Florida State shares with Miami or Florida, but the annual rivalry contest with Clemson is becoming not only the most significant game the Seminoles play every season, but one of the biggest in the country.

“I do feel that our rivalry does not have a hatred aspect but more of a respect,” said Clemson Tom, a Tigers’ super fan once named the No. 1 fan in sports by Bleacher Report. “Granted there will be trash talk, but this is America, this is the south, and this is college football. That is expected. I view our rivalry like The Rock and Stone Cold’s WWE rivalry: mutual dislike but both see the need for each other’s success for our own gains.”

In each of the last seven seasons, the winner of the annual contest between FSU and Clemson has gone on to win the ACC Atlantic. The teams have combined for the last five ACC crowns and to play for two of the last three national championships. This year, both teams will begin the season ranked in the top 5.

“Now I think the nation is starting to take notice of the rivalry,” said Clemson Tom “In recent history, Clemson has not been able to live up to the hype. For the past few years, we have started to live up to the hype, finally. (Quarterback Deshaun) Watson has helped Clemson’s national recognition. I would say it is in the top 10 nationally.

“What hurts our rivalry compared to the others, is the tradition,” he added. “We don’t have the old school rivalry of a Notre Dame-USC, or a Michigan-Ohio State. Ours is a little bit new school and I’m glad it’s starting to take notice nationally.”

The rivalry has also brought some much-needed exposure to the ACC. For years, the ACC was chided as a football conference for its lack of depth and inability to win major bowl games. Over the last four seasons, the Seminoles and Tigers have combined for four major bowl victories, including the 2014 BCS National Championship for FSU and the Orange Bowl, which was a national semifinal last season for Clemson.

The teams will meet this season on Oct. 29 in Tallahassee in what could serve as a de facto ACC semifinal and perhaps even a national quarterfinal.

“The hype surrounding the game is significant when it comes to the national coverage of both teams,” the super fan said. “The more hype each team gets, the better it is for the rivalry and the winner.”

Despite recent football success, the two schools still seem to get flak for the conference they play in, especially from those who pull for teams in the SEC. The Seminoles and Tigers each have in-state rivals from that conference in Florida and South Carolina, respectively.

“FSU and Clemson have beaten the best of the SEC, minus (Alabama),” Clemson Tom said. “There’s no reason to question why we could not hang in the most overrated conference out there.”