Florida State Football: 10 Things You Need to Know About Clemson

After a tough loss to top-ranked Oklahoma, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher knows his team needs to bury their sorrows in a hurry.    

That’s because this weekend’s matchup at No. 21 Clemson is just as important to FSU’s season as the tilt with the Sooners was.  

As physically (more on that later) and emotionally draining as their 23-13 loss to the Sooners was, most of the goals the ‘Noles had for this season are still in front of them, including a chance at the school’s first ACC title since 2005.    

Meanwhile, the Tigers are 3-0 and riding sky high after their 38-24 win over defending national champion Auburn that propelled them into the top 25.    

In last year’s meeting in Tallahassee, Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins nailed a 55-yard field goal as time expired to lift the ‘Noles to a 16-13 win. 

This weekend, the Tigers will get their chance to avenge that loss and send the Seminoles home with a 2-2 record. 

Here are 10 things you need to know about Clemson.

10. Rivalry Game

Fans on both sides are mistaken if they don’t view this game as a rivalry. 

Although the way it became one is unique, to the point where it is highly unlikely to envision a scenario like it happening again. 

When Tommy Bowden took over as head coach for the Tigers in 1999, he hosted an FSU team coached by his legendary father Bobby, in a game that would be known as the “Bowden Bowl.” 

Before the younger Bowden’s arrival, Clemson had a 2-10 record against the Seminoles.

Since then, the series has become much more competitive, mostly due to Tommy’s four victories in nine tries against his father.  

9. Tigers Strong at Home vs. FSU

The Seminoles lead the series with a 17-7 record all-time against the Tigers, but Clemson has turned the tables in this rivalry recently.

The Tigers have won five of the last eight meetings, including the last four contests at Memorial Stadium by an average of more than two touchdowns.

With both teams breaking in new starting quarterbacks (maybe a backup in FSU’s case), the home-standing Tigers figure to benefit from the raucous crowd and a fanbase that would burst through its seams if Clemson secured back-to-back home wins over ranked opponents.

The Tigers last accomplished that feat in 2005, when it ended the season with wins over FSU and South Carolina. 

However, when both teams have been ranked entering this matchup (as they are this year), Clemson is only 1-5 against FSU with their only victory coming in 1989.  

8. Recruiting Wars vs. FSU

With both teams annually fighting over supremacy in the Atlantic Division of the ACC, the war has spilled over to the recruiting trail.

Under Bobby Bowden, the Seminoles became a juggernaut by claiming talented players from all across the country, including raiding Clemson’s backyard in South Carolina.  

Clemson has fought back in recent years, and more than returned the favor by beating the ‘Noles out for several talented players from Florida.

The first major blow was when Tommy Bowden shocked father Bobby by stealing lifelong Seminole fan and five-star running back C.J. Spiller on National Signing Day in 2006.    

Last season, the ‘Noles and Tigers engaged in a bitter battle over linebacker Tony Steward from Jacksonville.  After an intense tug-of-war, Steward spurned his in-state childhood favorite in favor of Clemson and will be suiting up against them this weekend.  

7. Tigers' Impact Freshmen

Two other highly touted imports from the state of Florida will be looking to inflict more pain on the Seminoles this week. 

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, the reigning ACC receiver AND rookie of the week, is coming off a monster game in the victory over Auburn where he caught 10 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. 

He’s already a difference maker on the collegiate level, and will clearly be a focal point in film study for FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops and his troops. 

Running back Mike Bellamy is another freshman who has gotten his career off to a strong start.

Through three games, the Bradenton, Fla. product has carried the ball 16 times for 136 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown in the season-opening win over Troy. 

6. New Uptempo Offense

FSU faced a high-powered fast-paced offensive machine against Oklahoma last weekend, which should prepare them for the explosive unit they will see this weekend. 

Under new offensive coordinator Chad Morris, Clemson has completely switched up its attack from a year ago. 

Morris, who was brought in from Tulsa, favors a spread offense with zone-read principles that mirrors the system used by Auburn since his mentor Gus Malzahn,arrived on the Plains.

After three victories in which the Tigers have scored over 35 points in each contest, the early returns are favorable. 

The Tigers are averaging 522.7 yards of total offense through three games, which is good for ninth best in the country.  

5. Improved QB Play

Coming into the year, Clemson appeared to be looking at a rebuilding year with a new signal caller and a new offensive system. 

After playing sparingly a year ago as Kyle Parker’s backup, sophomore Tajh Boyd had his coming-out party in last week’s victory over Auburn. 

Boyd completed 30-of-42 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, and showed remarkable poise bringing his team back from a 14-0 deficit early in the first quarter.  

On the season, Boyd has completed more than 67 percent of his passes and thrown 10 touchdown passes and only one interception while achieving a scintillating QB rating of 173.8.

While Boyd may not be Landry Jones, he looks to be an upgrade over Parker.  

4. Issues on Defense

While Clemson’s offense is off to a fast start, the defense has struggled to this point in the season. 

The Tigers had to find replacements for several key contributors off of last year’s stout group that had four standouts selected in April’s NFL draft.

Kevin Steele (a former assistant at FSU) is one of the best defensive coordinators in the nation, but his unit has allowed an average of 419 yards per game.

Still, the Tigers have traditionally played at their best against FSU and this unit possesses enough talent to give the Seminoles' wounded offense plenty of fits. 

Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson and defensive end Andre Branch both have bright futures at the next level, and with FSU’s offensive line struggling to this point, that duo could provide an edge to the Tigers in the battle to win the line of scrimmage.  

3. Toughest Test Yet

While Clemson’s new offense has torched their first three opponents and scored points in bunches, the Tigers will finally meet a team that will bring a strong defense into Death Valley. 

Clemson’s offense may be ranked among the nation’s top 10 units, but the Seminoles have held their first three opponents to an average of just 195 yards per game, good for the fifth best in the country.

However, talented tight ends have always given the 'Noles fits, and Clemson will line up one of the nation's best in junior Dwayne Allen.  

Allen caught seven passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against Auburn last week, and he figures to be a mismatch regardless of how the Seminoles choose to defend him.   

After holding Oklahoma and their high powered offense to just 310 total yards, their lowest output since the 2009 season, the Seminoles defense will try to slow down another offensive juggernaut.

The winner of this tug-of-war will likely decide the outcome of this game.  

2. Key Injuries

Clemson could be without leading rusher Andre Ellington, who is battling a hamstring injury and will be questionable for this weekend’s game. 

Also, starting guard David Smith missed the Auburn game with a shoulder injury and is doubtful to play against the Seminoles.

Meanwhile, Florida State is facing the arduous task of claiming their first victory in Memorial Stadium since 2001.

After a brutally physical matchup against Oklahoma, that mission appears even more daunting. 

Starting quarterback E.J. Manuel left the game against the Sooners in the third quarter with a sprained AC joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, and was relieved by redshirt freshman Clint Trickett. 

The Seminoles' wide receiving unit is also decimated with two receivers definitely out (Willie Haulstead and Scooter Haggins) and two more who are questionable (Bert Reed and Kenny Shaw).  

1. High Stakes on the Line

The winner of this weekend’s game in Death Valley will jump out in front of the Atlantic Division, while in essence, putting the loser in a two-game hole for the right to make it to Charlotte on the first week of December. 

While the Seminoles' title drought is long by their standards, it pales in comparison to Clemson’s.

The Tigers haven’t won the ACC since 1991, including none since FSU joined the ACC in 1992 (FSU won 12 conference titles in that same span). 

Clemson made it to the ACC title game in 2009, but fell to Georgia Tech 39-34. 

With a win over their division rivals on Saturday, Clemson will take a huge step forward towards ending their title drought.