ACC play is upon us as the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles (2-0) get set to take on #22 Clemson (1-1). Florida State has taken the last two in the series including a throttling 51-14 victory last season. After each beating FCS schools their last time out, both Florida State and Clemson are coming off bye weeks.
Saturday’s game is not only important for Florida State to stay in the national championship conversation, but the contest could very well decide the winner of the ACC’s Atlantic division. To break down Saturday’s prime time contest in Tallahassee, Noled Out editor Mike Ferguson and staff writer Jon Marchant give you “Five Things”:
1. On Clemson
Mike Ferguson: Clemson is losing a lot from its 2013 campaign that resulted in 11 wins and a BCS bowl victory, but the Tigers have represented the ACC well in recent years. Dabo Swinney has done an excellent job in his tenure as head coach and Clemson always has the athletes to compete against whoever lines up against it.
Jon Marchant: Florida State opens up conference play against Clemson, who lost to Georgia in Week 1. Clemson’s defense has improved from last year while its offense has slid somewhat after the losses of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins. College Gameday will also be in Tallahassee for the prime time match-up.
2. Players to Watch for FSU
Mike Ferguson: In an interesting turn of events, sophomore Sean Maguire will make his first career start at quarterback for the Seminoles. How he performs in the first half against a Clemson defense that features one of the best pass-rushers in the country in Vic Beasley will be critical to Florida State’s success. Defensively, it’ll be interesting to see how the interior of the defensive line plays after losing three players to knee injuries against The Citadel. FSU is hopeful that Nile Lawrence-Stample, Eddie Goldman and Justin Shanks are able to go on Saturday, but how effective they’ll be remains to be seen.
Jon Marchant: The FSU players to watch this week are Jameis Winston and Eddie Goldman. If FSU is going to win this game, it needs Winston to be focused and ready to go as he enters the game in the third quarter. The Seminoles desperately need Eddie Goldman healthy. Much of what Clemson tries to do on offense depends on establishing the run in the A-gaps and Goldman will be needed if FSU wants to shut that down.
3. Biggest Concern for FSU
Mike Ferguson: While Sean Maguire is making his first career start, the biggest concern for the Seminoles comes on the defensive side of the football. Florida State was gashed for 250 yards rushing against The Citadel in the home opener and the Tigers have much more talent. FSU has had some struggles in terms of stopping the run and if Clemson can keep a Florida State offense that will be without Jameis Winston for a half off the field, the Tigers will have a shot at pulling the upset.
Jon Marchant: The biggest concern for Florida State is its inexperienced and somewhat banged up linebacking corps and its relatively inexperienced secondary. While FSU has recruited well and has studs all over, some of the youngsters have begun to crack the depth chart. Freshman and sophomores are prone to mistakes, and in a game this big with ACC Championship and playoff implications, one mistake could be devastating.
4. X-Factor for FSU
Mike Ferguson: Roberto Aguayo. The reigning Lou Groza Award winner is one of the best placekickers in the country, but Aguayo is often overlooked since the Seminoles have won so easily over the past year. If this one is close, Aguayo could prove to be a huge weapon for FSU. Aguayo is 6-for-6 on field goal attempts this season and a remarkable 27-for-28 in his career.
Jon Marchant: The X-Factor in this game is Clemson backup quarterback Deshaun Watson. The kid is a star in the making. In his one drive against Georgia, he took the Tigers right down the field in four plays and scored a touchdown. He is better than starter Cole Stoudt in almost every way, except experience in the offense and with the playbook. Since Watson’s grasp of the offense is limited, offensive coordinator Chad Morris’ play-calling is limited and defenses would be quick to adjust and shut him down. If I’m Chad Morris, I would have been spending these two weeks stuffing the game plan and every piece of the playbook I possibly could into Watson to prepare to start him. And if Watson plays significant snaps Saturday, the ‘Noles could be in trouble.
5. FSU Wins If…
Mike Ferguson: The Seminoles will take their ACC opener if they play well early and Florida State’s many play-makers step up to help out first-time starting quarterback Sean Maguire. FSU should look to establish the run with Karlos Williams and give Maguire easy throws to settle him into the game early. On defense, Florida State must find a way to slow down the run and force Clemson’s quarterback tandem of Cole Stoudt and Deshaun Watson to win the game with their arms against the loaded FSU secondary.
Jon Marchant: Morris is sure to throw the entire playbook at FSU, including every trick play he can scheme up to try and manufacture easy scores. Deshaun Watson will almost undoubtedly play lights out. If FSU wants to win this game, it will need to play its A-game for the first three quarters and will need to be well prepared for Watson and whatever trick plays Morris pulls out of his bag. If the Seminoles play disciplined and with a chip on their shoulder, this game should be no contest. If they play lazy and unfocused like they did for much of the game against Oklahoma State, the ‘Noles could drop their first game since November of 2012 and have this season labeled a bust in September.
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