Cam Erving vs. Vic Beasley the Most Important Matchup in FSU vs. Clemson

Vic Beasley had 13 sacks in 2013, putting together one of the finest pass-rushing seasons in ACC history.

The number doesn't exactly come with an asterisk. Those 13 sacks are impressive, of course. But it does come with a disclaimer—that the All-American defensive end didn't have a sack against Florida State in the Seminoles' 51-14 rout.

"Things just didn't go the way we wanted them to," Beasley said.

He was talking about the performance by Clemson's defense, which allowed Jameis Winston to throw for 444 yards. But he could just as easily have said the same about his frustrations in the one-on-one matchup with FSU left tackle Cameron Erving.

At the time, Erving was starting just his 20th game ever as an offensive lineman. A defensive tackle at Moultrie (Georgia) Colquitt County High, Erving was a Rivals.com 3-star prospect. After missing the 2010 season with a back injury, his first at FSU, coach Jimbo Fisher approached Erving about moving to the offensive line. Erving declined and had 20 tackles as a reserve in 2011. With FSU in need of a left tackle, Fisher tried again and Erving reluctantly agreed to make the move to offense in the spring of 2012.

He showed progress in his first year on offense and graded out at 73 percent in his final six games that fall. But the challenge of facing Beasley would be a considerable one.

Erving turned in one of his best performances of the season, holding the 6'3'', 235-pound Beasley to just two tackles. While Erving had impressed prior to that game, keeping Beasley away from Winston was an impressive accomplishment.

The Erving vs. Beasley matchup will again be a pivotal one on Saturday night as No. 1 FSU (2-0) hosts No. 22 Clemson (1-1). Erving won the ACC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference's top offensive lineman in 2013, and Beasley is the ACC's top edge-rusher.

And now it's even more crucial as Sean Maguire steps in to start at quarterback for Winston, who is suspended for the game.

But, no matter who is at quarterback, Erving's job is to keep that man upright. And while last year was an indicator that Erving had Beasley's number, it doesn't mean Beasley will be shut out again.

"It's definitely always fun to go against a great competitor such as Vic," Erving said. "He got me a few times—he just didn't get to the quarterback. Couple more seconds here or there he could have did it."

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While plenty of eyes in the stadium and on TV will be watching the quarterbacks and skill players, the Erving-Beasley battle is crucial for both teams. FSU has a senior-laden offensive line and must keep Maguire upright in the passing game while trying to establish a ground attack. Clemson's defensive strength is its all-senior defensive line that wants to disrupt the rhythm of FSU's passing game and bottle up FSU's deep stable of running backs.

FSU, however, has made a habit of passing the ball successfully in the past three matchups with Clemson. While FSU lost a 2011 game in which Clint Trickett threw for 336 yards, EJ Manuel followed with 380 yards. And Winston passed for 444 yards last season.

Talking before the Winston suspension, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is concerned about what FSU can do in the passing game.

"They have got too good of skill outside, and you can't cover those guys forever," Swinney said. "You've got to be able to disrupt the timing of the passing game and create pressure if you're going to have success against a great quarterback."

That's where Beasley can affect the game or, perhaps, not affect the game. He has watched the 2013 game again and again. He's reviewed game film of FSU's first two 2014 games. And Beasley is ready for another showdown with Erving.

"This is a matchup that I definitely look forward to," Beasley said. "I like playing against great players."

Said Erving: "I feel like he's a great player. I feel like going against better competition always brings out the best in you."

Bob Ferrante is the Florida State Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bob on Twitter. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.