Florida State Football: What the Noles Learned About Clemson During the Bye Week

Before Florida State and Clemson square off in the Sept. 20 showdown at Doak Campbell Stadium, both programs get the well-timed benefit of a bye this weekend.

For No. 1 FSU, the off weekend allows the Seminoles to improve on overall lackluster performances in the opening two games while rehabilitating and resting a growing list of injured players. Just as importantly, though, the extra preparation time—just like it does for the Tigers—allows the Noles to study and learn more about a Clemson program transitioning from the Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins era.

Here are a few things FSU has learned this week about its Week 4 foe.

The Tigers have a new quarterback(s) but are still effective under center

Name	Year	Comp-Att-Int	Yards	TD
Cole Stoudt	Sr.	38-60-1	446	1
Deshaun Watson	Fr.	10-13-0	213	4

Boyd's graduation left Clemson with a massive void at quarterback this offseason. The record-setting signal-caller was the face of the Tigers' march to a place among the ACC's elite over the last several years, and replacing his impact within the program is no easy task.

But the Tigers are giving it their best shot with veteran Cole Stoudt and rookie Deshaun Watson.

"I don't see a lot of big difference, I really don't," coach Jimbo Fisher said this week about Clemson's quarterback play. "I think they are throwing the ball extremely well. I think Stoudt makes great decisions with the ball, drives the ball down the field, is a very good passer. I still see a very dynamic team. They may change a route or two, that could be because a receiver or you expanding your offense, but I don't see a huge, huge change in everything they are doing."

The Tigers are averaging 335 yards passing per game and 47.0 points through the first two contests of the season. 

As the team's starter, Stoudt has thrown for 446 yards with one touchdown and an interception, while Watson has come in for specific packages and tossed four touchdowns with just three incompletions. Watson is clearly the quarterback of the future at Clemson, but the coaching staff have wisely decided to bring him along slowly while relying on Stoudt's leadership and poise to carry the offense.

FSU will certainly see both quarterbacks orchestrating a dynamic offense on Sept. 20.

"They are still just as effective [at quarterback]," Fisher said. "They throw the ball extremely well. I think their receivers—they are very dynamic at wideout. I think they have good backs, and I think their line has done a good job. And I think Stoudt has done a really good job. You go back, he's still running the ball down in different situations and running their counters and powers and quarterback runs and pulling it; and Deshaun when he comes in and he has his package and the things he does."

Artavis Scott is not Watkins, but Clemson's freshman receiver has star potential

He's got a long way to go before being mentioned in the same breath as Watkins, but fellow Florida native Artavis Scott is already doing his best to help replace the Tigers' superstar pass-catcher.

Scott, an early enrollee true freshman, currently leads the team in receiving yards and is tied for the most touchdown receptions with two.

Against an FCS foe a week ago, Scott set the Clemson freshman single-game record with 164 yards receiving in a blowout victory over South Carolina State.

Clemson's defense is still really good up front

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Florida State thrust itself into the national championship spotlight with last season's 51-14 victory in Death Valley thanks to a dominating defense and an offensive explosion. The Tigers simply had no answer for Winston, his trio of tailbacks and a wide receiver group that featured playmakers Kenny Shaw, Rashad Greene and Kelvin Benjamin, and on offense the home team couldn't protect the football.

FSU's offensive line did a great job protecting Winston and the defensive line did a great job of harassing Boyd, but it was the skill-position players who made the difference. FSU's pass-catchers couldn't be covered, and its defensive backs forced turnover after turnover. 

One year later, Fisher is quick to point out that those skill-position plays were key to counteract the impact Clemson's defensive front can have.

"They made plays up front on [the] defensive side," Fisher said. "It was a great battle, if you really watched when we created some turnovers. But we were physical and they were physical, and they won some and we won some. I think you had a bunch of good players going at it. But we were able to be very consistent in that game. We played hard, and I think our quarterbacks made good decisions with the ball and helped in that situation.

"But I thought our line was very physical last year, because they are extremely good up front."

It hasn't been true in recent years, but Clemson's defense may be stronger than its offense this season. 

Coordinator Brent Venebles has steadily decreased the Tigers' allowed points per game each season he's been at the helm of the defense. With personnel that features star Vic Beasley, Stephone Anthony, Tony Steward, Shaw Lawson and several more, Clemson's defense could be the difference.

The sting of the season-opening loss to Georgia now in their rearview, the Tigers also benefit from the learning experience of an early loss to an elite opponent—the type of outcome that helps teams identify and improve their shortcomings.

Brandon Mellor is a Florida State writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics courtesy of Seminoles.com and ClemsonTigers.com. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @BrandonMellor on Twitter.