Clemson-Florida State: It's Sink or Swim for the Tigers

There is a showdown in Tallahassee at 3:30 Saturday afternoon.  The Tigers of Clemson University take on the Seminoles of Florida State in the 10th Annual Bowd...wait...it isn’t the Bowden Bowl anymore.

So what is the hype behind the game?  The hype brews from a rivalry that may not have been seeded for very long, but since its inception, the Clemson-FSU game has been jam-packed with hatred and intense football. 

Saturday afternoon, the Clemson Tigers roll into a hostile environment in the Florida Panhandle.  Spirits are high for the Tigers after a much-needed victory last week over the Boston College Eagles.  It wasn’t pretty, but despite some unfortunate turnovers and ill-timed penalties, the Tigers pulled out a win.

And hey, with everything the Tigers have gone through this season, a win is a win is a win. 

The Seminoles, however, come off a heartbreaking loss to a feisty Georgia Tech squad who forced a turnover near the goal line late in the game, sealing the victory. 

As if there wasn’t enough fuel behind this matchup already, the past week for both teams will be a huge kick in the pants trying to stir them in the right direction.

For the Tigers, their win put the very real concept of winning tough games back in them, while avoiding a fourth straight defeat to the tenacious Eagles.  For the Seminoles, their loss was a real gut check to a powerful football team who is still trying to avoid a 7-6 record for the third straight season. 

Head coach Dabo Swinney is also trying to make a statement, proving he can continue to win after earning his head coaching position midseason from former head coach Tommy Bowden.  A short week proved too difficult for the new coach to turn a ball team around, suffering a narrow defeat against Georgia Tech.

It is a strong belief here in Tiger Town that had the players been more rested following that stressful week, the multitude of turnovers that led to the Tigers' demise would not have occurred. 

Granted, there were still many turnovers in last week's game against Boston College, but many of them were purely a lack of judgment and confidence on the part of quarterback Cullen Harper.  Once he is able to again throw the ball with confidence, as he did for a good portion of that BC game, the Tigers will surely be back to their winning ways against a scrappy Florida State defense. 

Coach Swinney showed his talent and potential, preparing the Tigers well for their matchup against Boston College with his bye week prior to the game.  Now, with nearly a full month under his belt with the reins in his hands, it will be interesting to see how he prepares his team for the hostile environment of Tallahassee.

It's sink or swim for the Tigers this weekend.