Florida State football is gearing up for a tough matchup against No. 4 Clemson this weekend. Here’s why the Seminoles can pull off the upset.
At the beginning of the year, we were talking about Florida State football’s potential to run away with the ACC title and even beat Alabama in the opener. How the times have changed. Who would have thought that two months later we would be debating whether the Seminoles would make a bowl game? Not me.
The Seminoles are just 3-5 on the year and plenty can be attributed to the loss of star quarterback Deondre Francois in the first week against Alabama. He was lost for the season and so were the Seminoles’ national title hopes.
Now, Jimbo Fisher is the subject of Texas A&M coaching rumors and Florida State is in danger of ending its lengthy bowl streak. There’s a chance for an upset and some confidence to be gained in Week 11 against Clemson, though.
Here’s why the Seminoles might just upset the reigning national champs.
5. Florida State defense will step up vs. Kelly Bryant
Florida State’s defense is finally going to step up and create turnovers as well as get pressure on Kelly Bryant. It’s been a quiet season for the Seminoles defensively as they have just 14 total sacks and six forced turnovers. That’s odd for a talented defense such as this one.
Guys like Derwin Williams and Tarvarus McFadden are going to have solid games in the secondary for Florida State, holding the Clemson receivers in check and forcing Bryant to stand in the pocket for far too long. That front-seven will bring plenty of pressure, downing Bryant four times behind the line of scrimmage.
I would say Clemson’s defense will make life hard on James Blackman, but we already know that’s likely with one of the best pass-rushing teams in the country, but Clemson won’t be prepared for what Florida State’s defense will throw at it.