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Clemson Football: 3 reasons Tigers will beat Florida State in Week 12

By Michael Hanich

Clemson running back Travis Etienne(9) and teammates run down the hill before the game with The Citadel Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.Clemson The Citadel Ncaa Football
Clemson running back Travis Etienne(9) and teammates run down the hill before the game with The Citadel Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.Clemson The Citadel Ncaa Football /
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Oct 24, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) waves to fans after their game against Syracuse at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) waves to fans after their game against Syracuse at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Trevor Lawrence will be back under center

For the past two games, the Tigers have started their five-star true freshman D.J. Uiagalelei while Lawrence was out with COVID-19. Uiagalelei played very well for being thrown into the lineup against Boston College and Notre Dame. He was not the reason that the Tigers lost to the Irish as the responsibility falls on the defense and the offensive line late in the game.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was highly complimentary of the performance and the leadership Uiagalelei of leading the offense in the two games he played. The Tigers feel more comfortable now that Lawrence is back as the starting quarterback this Saturday against the Seminoles. His return helps stabilize a Tigers offense that can use a boost in productivity.

The Tigers will face a Seminoles defense that ranks 101st in the nation (13th in the ACC) in points per game (36.1) and 107th in the nation (13th in the ACC)  in passing yards allowed per game (263.9). This is a Seminoles defense that has yet to find some consistency in the short-to-mid-range passing as well as the deep passing game. They have allowed a completion percentage of 68.1% and 14 touchdowns in eight games this season.

Lawrence will look to use this game to get back on track for his Heisman Trophy campaign in this season of limited games. This will potentially be his last season for the Tigers which will give some extra push for them to be more aggressive in the passing game. He is either third or fourth place in the Heisman race after Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, and possibly, Florida quarterback Kyle Trask.

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