CLEMSON — There have not been too many times that Clemson was struggling like this year’s group.

The numbers are well known. The Tigers are struggling, especially at Memorial Stadium, like no other time in their rich history. They are 1-4 at Death Valley this year, a place where they won 59 of 60 games from 2013-’22.

The last time a Clemson team was this bad at home was in 1975 when those Tigers went 1-4 at Memorial Stadium.

But maybe things can change this Saturday when Florida State rolls into town. It has happened before with the ‘Noles.

Saturday’s 7 p.m., kick marks 22 years since one of the more shocking results in the history of the Clemson-Florida State series took place – a 26-10 Clemson win against the third-ranked Seminoles.

Coincidentally, that upset also occurred on November 8.

“We were all fired in ’03 for sure,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney recalled. “We got 9-0 Florida State coming up in here and we just loss 45-17 to Wake (Forest). I think they had just beat Notre Dame (37-0).  There is no way this bad 5-4 (team), that lost to Wake 45-17, is going to go beat undefeated 9-0, rolling Florida State.

“But old Charlie Whitehurst and the boys had something different for them and we won 26-10.”

Swinney, who was in his first year as Clemson’s wide receivers coach at the time, credits the win with helping save his tenure at Clemson, as the victory was the first of the Tigers’ four straight wins to end the season and led to a contract extension for then head coach Tommy Bowden.

“That is why you play the season,” Swinney said. “Again, we were a mess. But we got to the Peach Bowl. That is one of the coolest moments I have ever been apart of, running that trap draw to Chad Jasmin on third-and-15 to score. That is what college football used to be about.”

Whitehurst finished the day 17-of-27 for 272 yards and a touchdown pass to Derrick Hamilton. Clemson’s offense finished with 425 yards to 369 yards for the Seminoles.

Florida State (4-4, 1-4 ACC) at Clemson (3-5, 2-4 ACC)

• Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m.
• Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson
• TV: ACCN
• Spread: Clemson is favored by 1.5 points
• Total: 56.5
• Series: Florida State leads 21-16

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Clemson started playing at least six home games, in most years, starting in 1970. Clemson has never lost more than four home games in any one season (1970, ’75, ’98, 2025). If the Tigers lose to FSU on Saturday, it will mark the first time in the program’s history it has lost five home games in a season.

KEY MATCHUP

The Seminoles lead the ACC in rushing, averaging 241.3 yards per game. However, 889 of those yards came in blowout wins over East Texas A&M and Kent State. In their last four games, FSU is averaging a modest 146.3 yards per game, including 3.6 yards per carry. Clemson’s run defense has been much improved this year, and the Tigers will need it to be good on Saturday night if they have any hopes of beating the Seminoles. Clemson is allowing 105.8 yards per game on the ground, which ranks fourth in the ACC. However, in their last four games, the Tigers are giving up just 89.8 yards per outing on the ground and 3.4 yards per carry. If Clemson makes FSU one dimensional and forces quarterback Tommy Castellanos to beat them with his arm, its chances in winning increase dramatically.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore is attempting to catch a touchdown in a third consecutive game for the first time in his career. He can become the second Clemson player this season with a touchdown catch in three consecutive games, joining Bryant Wesco, Jr.  (Troy, Georgia Tech and Syracuse). Moore had a 75-yard TD reception against Duke last week, and the game before that he caught TD passes of 62- and 32-yards against SMU.

Castellanos ranks first in the nation in yards per completion (16.77), yards per pass (10.32) and 60-yard completions (5). Wide receiver Micahi Danzy leads the country in plays of 50-plus yards (6).

THIS AND THAT

If Clemson loses to FSU on Saturday night, it will mark the program’s seventh straight home loss to a Power Conference foe. If that happens, it will tie for the longest such losing streak in Clemson Football history (1907-1917).

FINAL ANALYSIS

The Seminoles rank first in the ACC in yards per completion (16.44, 3rd nationally), yards per pass (10.21, 3rd), 3rd-down percentage (.532, 6th), scoring offense (40.0, 7th), rushing offense (241.3, 8th) and team passing efficiency (166.56, 8th). Combining third- and fourth-down conversions, FSU’s conversion efficiency rate of 64.2 percent (70 total conversions on 109 3rd-downs) is first in the ACC and third nationally, trailing only Air Force and Navy. The Seminoles rank second in the ACC in scoring defense (20.6) and sacks per game (2.75) and 3rd in the conference in total defense (317.3). They have held four opponents to less than 300 total yards, the second-highest total in the ACC. In other words, can Clemson outscore them? The Tigers’ offense will need some help from the defense this week, which has been maligned for much of their home games. Though Clemson’s offense has greatly improved, FSU’s defense will be the Tigers’ toughest test since the LSU game, which is not a good thing considering how much the Clemson offense night have to score to win this game.

Prediction

Florida State 38, Clemson 24