Here is a look at the top matchups for today’s game between No. 16 Florida State at No. 1 Clemson. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m., from Death Valley, and will be televised nationally on ABC. The Tigers can clinch a tie for the ACC Atlantic Division and berth in the ACC Championship Game with a win, while the Seminoles can put itself in position to earn an ACC Championship Game berth with a win.
FSU’s Dalvin Cook vs. Clemson’s run defense: Cook, who will be available to play after missing last week’s Syracuse game due to hamstring and ankle injuries, is second in the nation at 148.1 yards per game and he leads the ACC with 1,037 yards. He also has 11 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 8.2 yards per carry. But the Clemson defense has not given up too many yards on the ground, especially to run heavy teams like FSU. Wofford, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Boston College and NC State were all held at least 70 yards below their season rushing average. The Tigers rank second in the ACC and 14th nationally against the run and are holding the opposition to just 3.1 yards per carry. They have given up just six rushing touchdowns this year. Advantage: Clemson
Deshaun Watson vs. FSU’s secondary: Florida State’s pass defense ranks 22nd in the country in allowing 184.1 yards per game. But the Seminoles are allowing opponents to complete 55.6 percent of their passes. Against the only passing attack they faced in the top 50, Miami’s Brad Kaaya threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns while completing 29 of 49 passes. Louisville’s quarterbacks combined for 307 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-35 passing. Watson leads the ACC in total yards, passing yards, touchdown passes, completion percentage, passing efficiency and quarterback rating. In the last four games he has completed 86-of-123 passes (70 percent) for 1,211 yards and 11 touchdowns to three interceptions. He is averaging 302.8 yards per game through the air. Advantage: Clemson
Clemson’s offensive line vs. FSU’s defensive front: The Seminoles have some playmakers in defensive end DeMarcus Walker (6-3, 281) and nose guard Derrick Nnadi (6-1, 301). They held Miami to 20 yards rushing and Louisville to 99 yards. But they gave up 261 yards to Georgia Tech and 173 to Syracuse. The Noles are giving up 139.4 yards per game on the ground. The Seminoles have 18 sacks on the season. The Tigers have given up just 12 sacks thus far, and are averaging 218.1 yards per game on the ground, including 242.3 the last four games. Running back Wayne Gallman is second in the ACC with 109.2 yards per game on the ground. Clemson’s offensive line is as physical as it ever has been in the last 10 seasons. Advantage: Clemson
Clemson’s D-line vs. Florida State’s O-line: The Tigers rank second in the ACC in sacks, 18th nationally, with 24, and are seventh nationally, second in the ACC, in tackles for loss with 72. The Tigers are giving up just 3.1 yards per carry and have two of two of the strongest and quickest defensive ends in the country in Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd. The Seminoles are extremely young up front, starting a junior, three sophomores and a freshman. They are averaging 180.1 yards per game on the ground and 5.4 yards per rush, but in the last few weeks sacks, lack of communication and penalties have set them back. Advantage: Clemson
Clemson’s secondary vs. FSU’s wide receivers: Travis Rudolph caught five passes for 191 yards and touchdowns of 19, 45 and 75 yards in the Seminoles win over Syracuse last week. Kermit Whitfield is no slouch with 37 catches for 461 yards and two touchdowns. Jesus Wilson has 33 receptions for 407 yards and two scores, while Rudolph leads the team 501 yards and six touchdowns on 35 catches. Clemson’s secondary leads the nation as opponents are completing just 46 percent of their passes. It also ranks in the top in yards allowed and in completions allowed. Tigers have 10 interceptions so far on the season. They have held down stud receivers like Notre Dane’s Will Fuller and Miami’s Rashawn Scott and held them to a combined four catches for 58 yards. Advantage: Clemson
FSU’s Special Teams vs. Clemson’s Special Teams: Whitfield is averaging 30 yards per kick return, which could cause issues for a Clemson coverage team that has allowed two 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns this year. Roberto Aguayo is 13 of 17 on field goals, but he is just 1-4 from 40-49 and 0-1 from 50-plus yards. Punter Cason Beatty is averaging 43.9 yards per punt and has just three touchbacks. He has 13 kicks of plus-50 yards. The ‘Noles are giving up 12.3 yards per punt return, including a 59-yard touchdown by Syracuse’s Brisly Estime last weekend. Greg Huegel has made 12 of his 14 kicks thus far for the Tigers, but he has missed one extra point and has had two blocked. Clemson ranks near the bottom in punt returns, but Artavis Scott is averaging 25.2 yards per kick return and Ray Ray McCloud is averaging 35.2 yards per return. Advantage: FSU
Bottom line: Clemson appears to be better at the point of attack on both sides of the ball. It appears to have a better overall defense. It appears to have more playmakers on offense and, more importantly, it has the best quarterback.
Prediction: Clemson 38, FSU 10