TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — There was a time when the Clemson-Florida State game meant something in the ACC race. However, that has not been the case the last few years.

For a third year in a row, the Clemson-Florida State game has no bearing on the ACC Championship. The Tigers are sitting in the middle of the pack with two losses, with little chance of playing for the title considering it plays one less game than most of the league’s members.

The Seminoles have three conference losses and sit near the bottom of the conference.

“I promise you nobody’s going to care about the records when we kick this one off,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “This is Clemson-Florida State. So, it will be a great opportunity. We’ll have to play well to win it.”

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

• Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m.
• Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.
• TV: ACCN
• Spread: FSU minus-5.5
• Total: 49.5 points
• Series: FSU leads the series 21-17
• Streak: Clemson has won 9 of the last 10 games in the series, including four straight at Doak Campbell

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Job security. The winner of this game will have some of the heat come off their seat, while the loser might have his too hot to sit on.

KEY MATCHUP

Clemson likes to play man-to-man coverage a lot. However, playing man coverage might not be the best way to defend FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels. Obviously, Sammy Brown will likely spy on Daniels, as will Jeremiah Alexander. With Daniels known as the most elusive quarterback in college football, the Tigers need to keep him in the pocket and not allow him to find the rush lanes.  

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FSU DuceRobinson caught six passes for 135 yards and one touchdown at No. 10 Alabama and added five receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns at No. 3 Miami. For the year, Robinson leads FSU with 22 catches, 407 yards and 4 TDs. Robinson’s seven career 100-yard receiving games at FSU are tied for 9th in program history. He has 2,235 career receiving yards, including 1,488 at Florida State. The senior’s six career 120-yard receiving games in the regular season are tied for second-most among active players in college football, behind only Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State. Robinson’s 2 TDs at Miami came late in the game – his 75-yard touchdown was the first play after Miami had taken a lead late in the fourth quarter and is FSU’s longest pass of the season. His 20-yard touchdown in the first overtime gave Florida State the lead.

Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton has been arguably the most consistent defensive back in the country. He has been the definition of a shutdown corner. He leads the nation with nine passes defended. He also has one interception, 19 tackles and 2 TFLs. In 26 targets, Hampton has allowed just 9 completions (34.6 percent) for 98 yards and 0 TDs. Hampton, who held Miami’s Malachi Toney to one catch for 8 yards on three targets.

THIS AND THAT

According to Stats Perform, Nolan Hauser became the first FBS player to kick three or more field goals and register a 60-plus-yard punt in a single game since 2021. He also became the fifth FBS player since 2004 to record a field goal of 49 or more yards and a punt of 63 or more yards in a single game.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Clemson’s defense has come on strong and has become one of the ACC’s more consistent units. However, Florida State might have one of the most explosive offenses in the country thanks to Daniels and Robinson. Something has to give, and unfortunately for the Tigers, it probably will be Clemson’s defense due to the Tigers’ lack of offense.

Prediction

Florida State 32, Clemson 20