Clemson football looking to silence doubters vs. Florida State

Clemson football hosts the Florida State Seminoles this Saturday in Death Valley East. Here’s a preview, prediction and how to watch the big game.

Well, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has put Clemson back on the ROY bus, and that’s dangerous for the Florida State Seminoles. When you are the best team in the country and last year’s national champion, you have to find anything you can to motivate your team.

Complacency is easy when you’re No. 1, and we knew that Clemson’s biggest opponent would be Clemson.

Head coach Willie Taggart seems to have found some light. Florida State has won two games in a row, and though they haven’t been perfect, the Seminoles seem to have begun to buy in to what Taggart is selling.  They are by no means perfect; they still commit too many silly penalties, and the offensive line isn’t up to par, but they play like they believe.

One of the most important adjustments the Florida State offensive staff has made is slowing down their tempo to accommodate a defense not yet built to play on a team that runs tempo.

Here’s how to watch:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 12
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Venue: Memorial Stadium
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Television: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson offense has been a bit up and down. They’ve tried to hit home runs too often on offense, and not wear down teams with their superior offensive line and running game. When you take chances like that , you open yourself to turnovers; Lawrence has five picks already this season. However, the defense has been rock solid all season allowing 12 points per game. Florida State’s inconsistent offensive line has the Clemson Tigers salivating.

Florida State has to run the ball Cam Akers has to get going early and often if they want to make a go of this game. If Akers doesn’t produce and Alex Hornibrook has to face that defensive line FSU will be in trouble. Hornibrook has a history of laying eggs in big games during his time at Wisconsin and this is a monster contest.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Line: Clemson -27
Over/Under: 60.5

Prediction

You know Dabo has all of Alabama and Ohio State’s scores taped all over the Clemson locker room. He’s talked the ROY bus stuff the entire bye week; yeah, they are playing this game coming off a bye. He knows, and the Tigers know a statement has to be made. Sorry Seminoles, this one might be close for a half — maybe. Expect Clemson to play angry and ornery at home Saturday afternoon.

Final Score: Clemson 49, Florida 21