The Daily Nole

FSU at Clemson: Gameday Quick Hits

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The day has finally arrived for the game that many thought would decide the ACC in 2017. While Florida State hasn’t held up its end of the bargain, Clemson needs a victory to clinch another trip to the ACC Championship.

FSU picked up a much-needed win last week against Syracuse, 27-24, while Clemson knocked off N.C. State in a contest with huge Atlantic division implications, 38-31. Before the Seminoles and Tigers kick things off, check out our coverage of the match-up leading in:

FSU Football: A First Look at Clemson
FSU Looks to Right Bleak History Against Defending National Champions
Preview: FSU Goes to Death Valley to Try and Knock Off Reigning Champs
Q&A With Armchair All-Americans’ Sage Moody on FSU-Clemson
FSU at Clemson: Good Times, Bad Times
Staff Predictions for FSU-Clemson
Staff Keys to the Game: FSU at Clemson
FSU at Clemson: Five Things to Watch

FSU comes in with a record of 3-5 while the Tigers are 8-1. In what should be our final piece before the teams kick things off at 3:30 p.m. EST, here are some relevant facts and statistics:

  • The winner of the annual contest between Florida State and Clemson has gone on to win the ACC Atlantic in every season since 2009.
  • Clemson looks to become the first team to defeat FSU in three straight seasons since Jimbo Fisher took over as head coach in 2010.
  • Six of the last 11 meetings between the Seminoles and Tigers have been decided by seven points or less.
  • In 18 of the 30 previous meetings between FSU and Clemson, the winning coach had the last name, Bowden. Bobby Bowden won 14 games as head coach of Florida State. Tommy Bowden won four as head coach of the Tigers.
  • FSU looks to avoid tying its worst finish in ACC play since 2006 when it finished 3-5 in conference.
  • Clemson’s eight victories over Florida State is tied with N.C. State for the most by an ACC opponent since the Seminoles joined the conference in 1992.
  • FSU has led or been tied in the fourth quarter in each of its last five meetings with Clemson.
  • Florida State’s last win over a top-5 team came over Notre Dame on Oct. 18, 2014 by a 31-27 score. Its last such road win came at Clemson on Oct. 19, 2013 by a 51-14 margin.
  • FSU will look to avoid its worst 9-game start since 1976 — its first season under Bobby Bowden. FSU will also look to avoid its first 6-loss season since finishing 7-6 in 2009.
  • Clemson will look to join FSU as the only team to play in the ACC Championship in three straight seasons. The Seminoles did so from 2012-14.
  • The Tigers have won six of seven over Florida State at home. The lone exception was the 51-14 FSU victory in 2013.
  • Clemson as a 15.5-point favorite makes FSU the biggest underdog it has been under Fisher.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

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