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College Football Predictions 2018: Picks for the biggest games of Week 9

By John Mitchell

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 28: Elijah Holyfield #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs dives into the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field on October 28, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. Georgia defeated Florida 42-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 28: Elijah Holyfield #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs dives into the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field on October 28, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. Georgia defeated Florida 42-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Clemson at Florida State (12:00 p.m. ET, ABC)

Spread: Clemson -16.5

Clemson’s offense has been humming since true freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence took over as the starter. Lawrence has been the ACC’s most efficient passer and has unlocked the offensive balance the Tigers have lacked since Deshaun Watson’s departure.

NC State took away Clemson running back Travis Etienne last week, forcing Lawrence to beat them with his arm. The freshman responded with over 300 passing yards as the Tigers cruised to a 41-7 victory.

Florida State will likely try a similar gameplan, hoping the road environment of Doak Campbell Stadium will rattle the young signal-caller.

Florida State has rebounded since their early season struggles, winning three of their last four games and narrowly losing to rival Miami in a game they led 27-7 at one point. The Seminoles’ resurgence is probably fool’s gold, however, with their three wins coming over Northern Illinois and the two worst teams in the ACC so far this season in Louisville and Wake Forest. They were a bone-headed Bobby Petrino call away from losing at Louisville, too.

The big problem for the Florida State offense has been their inability to run the football. Despite boasting talented running backs Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick, the ‘Noles’ offensive line has been unable to open up any sorts of running lanes. Florida State ranks 124th nationally in rushing offense at just 98.4 yards per game.

That’s unlikely to be remedied this week against arguably the best front-seven in all of college football. I find it difficult to imagine that Florida State will have much success offensively in this game.

Pick: Clemson 31, Florida State 7

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