Florida State football: 3 reasons the Seminoles will beat Clemson in Week 4
By TJ Heyder
![Sep 9, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) runs the ball during the first half against Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports Sep 9, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) runs the ball during the first half against Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d04c08cc6078f956c599a592546bb332e7a3a97655471f0a610c7e161be3b02e.jpg)
We’ve made it. The most anticipated ACC matchup of the preseason happens this Saturday as Clemson greets No. 4 Florida State football to town. But if I told you back in May that this game would feature an unranked Clemson team, you probably would have laughed in my face.
You also would have laughed in my face if I told you Boston College would give the Seminoles the toughest game through three weeks when LSU was their Week 1 opponent. But here we are.
Only one team here has a loss on their record, but we’ve seen both programs show plenty of vulnerability so far, to the point where the predictions for this one have ranged all over the place. I mean, a top-five team entering as only a two-point favorite against an unranked opponent just smells fishy, doesn’t it?
I’m here to tell you, don’t overthink it. Florida State leaves Death Valley with the win here. Here’s why.
3. Clemson can’t cover Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson
Mike Norvell found multiple plug-in starters in the transfer portal this offseason, but Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman may have been the shiniest gem in the whole class. The pairing of Coleman with Johnny Wilson has made FSU one of the scariest passing attacks in the country with a Heisman talent under center.
The pair lit up a talented LSU defense in Week 1, showcasing early just how good they are going to be this year. While Coleman was held without a catch last week against Boston College, I’m going to chalk that up because of the wet elements they played in.
And if you were wondering, the forecast for Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening is 80 degrees with zero percent chance of rain. It’s going to be an air raid on the Clemson secondary.
Clemson didn’t register a single sack against Duke, and they only have four as a team through three games. Jordan Travis is going to have all day in the pocket to deliver strikes downfield to these two playmakers, and they’re going to make Clemson pay for it.