FSU-Clemson: This Will Not Be Pretty

Clemson quickly became one of the most overrated teams in recent memory in the ACC this year and is looking for an upswing to end its season on a high note and go to a respectable bowl game. 

Florida State is looking to go to the ACC championship game, and a loss to Clemson would all but eliminate any hope.

Clemson has beaten FSU for three straight games and four out of the past five years. The Tigers beat them, 24-18, at Clemson last year, but that was well over a year ago and was also FSU's first game of the season and first under Jimbo Fisher's offense.

This will not be the same FSU team Clemson faces.

This time around features an FSU team with an identity in the running game and a Clemson team under a new head coach looking to gain any salvation from dropping into mediocrity after starting the season with a No. 9 ranking.

Both teams are fighting for respect from those outside of Tallahassee, Florida and Clemson, South Carolina. 

FSU looks to move past consecutive 7-6 seasons and Clemson looks to fight off a 4-5 record going into the final three games.

Both teams feature dangerous playmakers. Clemson has the infamous running back duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller, who haven't lived up to their potential this season. Spiller, though, showed why he drew all the hype with 242 all-purpose yards in the 27-21 win over Boston College last week.

FSU has shown over the previous weeks either senior running back Antone Smith or freshman Jermaine Thomas can be dangerous in the backfield. With Smith battling injuries at Georgia Tech, Thomas stepped in and ran for 130 yards. FSU quarterback Christian Ponder has shown in the past he can make plays either by passing to one of the versatile wide receivers or taking off and running.

That is why this game will be a fight. Both teams fighting to gain respect. Clemson looks to move past its ugly season that included a stretch of three losses in a row and FSU looks to move closer to its first ACC title since 2005 and a record better than 7-6.