Tag: Clemson vs. Florida State

Clemson’s Offensive X-Factor for Week 4 vs. Florida State

Clemson’s offensive X-Factor against Florida State is the same as it was against Florida Atlantic, and that’s for a reason.

Heading into Clemson’s matchup with Florida State, the Tigers’ offense has flashed signs of greatness but has failed to put together a complete game through three performances. 

This week against No.4 Florida State, the Tigers’ offense will need to play a complete game from top to bottom. Suppose everyone on the offense, from the offensive line to Cade Klubnik under center, is doing their part. In that case, Clemson has a real opportunity to upset the Seminoles and make a statement in the College Football Playoff race. 

What I believed we needed to see last week, we didn’t see. Rather, we saw this offensive star player frustrated and in a seemingly heated exchange with his running back coach.

For Clemson’s offense to have a chance against Florida State, they need to treat Will Shipley like the star he is in their backfield. Through three games, Shipley has 36 carries for 225 yards and 11 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. 

So, through three games, Clemson’s best offensive player, who is averaging 6.3 yards per carry, doesn’t have a rushing touchdown. If the workload we’ve seen Shipley get through three games continues in Week 4, this offense could be in trouble. 

Will Shipley, our offensive x-factor against Florida State, must be given opportunities to make plays. Treat him like the star offensive player he is before he’s gone. It is getting tiresome watching a player of his caliber be wasted. 

Clemson vs. Florida State is a key game in the College Football playoff race

Clemson and Florida State’s Week 4 matchup is a big one as a key game early in the College Football Playoff race.

Week 4 is one of the best slates of college football you’ll see, and Clemson’s matchup with Florida State is set to kick off an excellent day of football on Saturday. 

It is still early in the season, but every game matters for programs such as these. A loss can define a season, and the College Football Playoff will only see four teams compete for the national championship this season. Clemson can’t afford another loss, and Florida State has to prove that they can reclaim the ACC in a run to the playoff. 

No matter how you look at it, this matchup is a key one for the CFP race. According to 247Sports, it is one of the seven games in Week 4 that will jumpstart the College Football Playoff race.

For Clemson, it is about proving to everyone that the Tigers are going nowhere. They must prove they can still win the big games and launch themselves back into the CFP picture. 

This doesn’t feel like the same Clemson team, and everyone has noticed. But that conversation will dissipate quickly if Clemson wins this game as a home underdog. The Tigers are either right back in the CFB Playoff mix or there will be looming questions about the program’s future. There really isn’t an in-between.

On the other side of things, it’s pretty obvious what this matchup means to the Seminoles. The ACC has been Clemson’s conference for years, and FSU has something to prove. They need to show everyone that they can make it past Clemson.

Florida State hasn’t won this game since 2014, which corresponds with the last time it won the ACC. Clemson has owned the ACC in the years since. Florida State won’t truly be “back” until they topple the Tigers.

A lot is riding on this game for both sides, making things that much more exciting. Clemson needs to prove something, and so does Florida State.

Who is going to make a statement on Saturday?

247Sports expert predictions are split on Clemson vs. Florida State

Clemson or Florida State in Week 4? 247Sports experts are split on the matchup.

This is the week Clemson, Florida State, and many college football fans have been looking forward to. 

Clemson vs. Florida State always feels like a big game, but it hasn’t been as important as it should be in recent years. That is not the case in 2023, as the Tigers and Seminoles face off in Death Valley in a game that is expected to be close and competitive. 

As we approach the big-time ACC battle, experts have been split on who they believe will come out the winner of this matchup. 247Sports recently released an article predicting the results of each top 25 matchup for Week 4, with experts Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer split on who they see winning. 

Hummer is on Clemson in this one, predicting that the Tigers will take down the Seminoles 28-7 in a close matchup. 

“The Tigers win in Death Valley. They’re 7-1 in their last eight games against AP Top 10 teams and have won 41 of their last 42 overall.”

On the other side of things, Crawford predicts a 31-28 win for the Seminoles. He too sees things close, but leans Florida State on the road.

“Smart money likely sides with Clemson since this game is at home and the Tigers are playing with their backs against the wall with a loss in the ACC already. Add the fact that FSU is marked as a top 5 unbeaten and everything is setting up for a Clemson “upset” in Death Valley. However, we don’t know how this Garrett Riley offense is going to look against an elite pass rush and the Tigers haven’t faced an opponent yet as potent as the Seminoles offensively.”

As college football fans, these are the games we live for. Both teams have talent, and both have serious implications with a loss in this game.

If the Tigers drop this one, any hope they have left to make the College Football Playoff is gone. If the Seminoles drop it, their road to the playoff gets more complicated, and they continue their poor run against Clemson.

Saturday cannot come soon enough.

Sporting News predicts Clemson will upset Florida State in Week 4

Clemson has a huge one in Week 4 against Florida State, and Sporting News predicts an upset.

As we all know, this is a huge week for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers as they face No.4 Florida State in one of the most anticipated games of the Week 4 slate. 

There are varying opinions on how this game will turn out on Saturday, but what I’ve found most interesting is what Vegas sees. According to the betting lines, the Seminoles are less than field goal favorites against the Tigers, much closer than some would expect.

Clemson being the underdog at home is not a common thing, but the respect is still there. There are some, like Bill Bender of Sporting News, who believe the Tigers are going to upset the Seminoles. 

Clemson has limited opposing quarterbacks to a 52.1% completion percentage, so Travis will have to be at his best with his receivers. On the other side, Cade Klubnik has a 38.2% completion percentage under pressure. Can the Tigers keep him clean against the Seminoles’ pass rush? This could be one of those patented Clemson upsets complete with an emotional Dabo Swinney speech afterward.

The score Bender predicts is Clemson taking down FSU 31-24, which would be an excellent outcome for a team that needs a big win. The question is, what will it take?

On offense, the Tigers will need to do what Bender is hinting at: protect Cade Klubnik. If the offensive line gives him time to throw, then Clemson will be in a good position, as both the run and pass games will benefit from it.

On defense, the Tigers have the talent to win the battle against Florida State’s high-powered offense. The key will be to balance ways to generate pressure while ensuring they don’t let Jordan Travis beat them with his feet by either establishing themselves on the edge or keeping a quarterback spy on him throughout the game.

This matchup can go many ways, but there is a clear route to a Clemson win.

Swinney gives an injury update on two Clemson starters ahead of Florida State

Dabo Swinney gave an injury update on two starters as the Tigers prepare for their Week 4 matchup with Florida State.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have arguably their biggest game of the season in Week 4 against Florida State, and the team hopes to have two starters back for the matchup. 

Safety Andrew Mukuba and offensive lineman Walker Parks missed this past week against Florida Atlantic. Still, Swinney and his staff hope both will be fit to play against the Seminoles. Two key players for this team.

“We’re hopeful,” Swinney said. “They’re with us working and still say day-to-day. But we’ll see.”

A minor update from the head coach, but there is still a lot of the week left to get more updates on the health of these two starters. They seem to be on track to play as day-to-day, but we won’t know until Swinney officially makes the call. 

Clemson and Florida State face off Saturday at Clemson Memorial Stadium, with kickoff set for noon.

Dabo Swinney names Jonathan Weitz Clemson’s starting kicker against Florida State

Dabo Swinney made a big move, bringing back former walk-on kicker Jonathan Weitz to take over kicking duties against Florida State.

Have you ever sat on the couch watching your Clemson Tigers and thought they could use your help?

Well for former walk-on kicker Jonathan Weitz, that is exactly what happened. After Robert Gunn III missed three of his first four kicks of the season, it is time for a new strategy. Dabo Swinney did the unthinkable just days ahead of their Week 4 matchup with Florida State. It felt like something had to happen.

Weitz was not with the team this season but is enrolled in Clemson’s master’s program. Taking note that Weitz was still a part of the university, Swinney wasted no time calling Weitz and bringing him back to the team to kick.

During a press conference Tuesday, Swinney confirmed that Weitz is back on the team and will be Clemson’s field goal kicker for this Week when they host No. 4 Florida State Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

We went to the bullpen and called him off the beach,” Swinney said.

This is major for the Tigers, who now have a new kicker heading into arguably their biggest game of the season. Former starting placekicker Robert Gunn was just 1-4 kicking field goals this season, with Swinney feeling they needed some experience at the position.

“Honestly, we just needed a little bit of maturity there. I guess that would be the right word,” Swinney said. “I have not lost any confidence in Robert Gunn at all.

“He is just a young player, a freshman, that has to kind of work himself through it all. His kickoffs are amazing. He has been unbelievable there, but he has just been in a little bit of a funk. It really started in the Duke game. He was amazing all fall camp. Everyone thinks they can do it and it is easy. This is a great kid who really cares a lot, but sometimes you just need to catch your breath.”

Weitz was a walk-on from 2019-2022 who has experience with the team but little in-game experience. He was 3-3 in his career with extra points and kicked off ten times for the Tigers.

“He was pretty shocked to get a call from me on Sunday,” Swinney said. It is either going to be a great story, or it is going to be terrible. It is not going to be anything in between. He’s got a boss up in New York, probably pissed off at me.”

Something to note is the confidence Swinney has in Weitz. He would not be making a move like this if he didn’t feel it was necessary.

“He is not just a guy off the street. He is right now, but he was in our program for four years,” Swinney said. “He was the backup the last two years. He was a good backup, but we just happened to have BT Potter.”

It is a massive change for Clemson at a critical time in the season.

Clemson moves up in the Top 25 of USA TODAY Sports college football 1-133 re-rank

Clemson stays in the top 25 of USA TODAY Sports college football re-rank, moving up two spots.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football team had a solid outing in their 48-14 win over Florida Atlantic, with the Tigers coming out the gates hot but failing to put together a complete performance.

There is still much the Tigers need to work on, but we also saw some excellent things from this team. While it wasn’t the start of the season everyone was looking for, Swinney’s team improved in Week 3.

They will need to be even better in Week 4, as they have a matchup with No.3 Florida State that could make or break their season. Heading into Week 4, they are No. 23 in the Coaches Poll and out of the AP Top 25. 

Recently, USA TODAY Sports released their college football 1-133 re-rank after Week 3, with Clemson moving up two spots in the rankings. Previously 25, the Tigers now match their Coaches Poll ranking. 

The other ACC teams that landed in the top 25 are No.3 Florida State, No.13 Miami, No.18 Duke, and No.19 North Carolina. The ACC has been strong this season. 

Clemson has a significant opportunity to make a statement this week against the Seminoles, and there’s no place better to do it than Death Valley. 

ESPN analyst believes Clemson is ‘not in Florida State’s league’ right now

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers will look to prove this analyst wrong but have to handle business in Week 3 before doing so.

Clemson and Florida State both have to get through their Week 3 matchups before they face off in Death Valley in Week 4, but the anticipation for this game is already building.

With two programs in different places right now, this game could be the biggest ACC matchup of the season, and a lot is riding on it. Can Clemson recover and shock everyone, or is Florida State a real National Championship contender?

Former NFL center and now ESPN analyst Trevor Matich appeared on the ACC PM show on the ACC Network Thursday and discussed the Clemson vs. Florida State matchup.

“When you compare Clemson to Florida State lets make a comparison,” the analyst said.  “Lets say the defenses have the potential to be very similar.  Which I think they do.”

Clemson and FSU both have strong defenses, but that isn’t the key to this game for Matich. It is the difference between each team’s offense that matters.

“When you look at offensive line Clemson, Florida State who do you pick?  Florida State.  Quarterback right now given the experience level and the performance, Florida State.  Receivers who would you pick, not close Florida State.  Not close when you look at the way they can match-up with the other side of the ball.  Running back Will Shipley over at Clemson leads a very good running back stable.  I think you can call that one a wash.  But at the same time I just don’t see Clemson right now in Florida State’s league when you compare offensive position groups across the two programs,” said Matich.

Clemson’s offense has some work to do, but they have the potential to make this matchup far more competitive than some are acting. If the Tigers give Shipley a true RB1 workload and let him do what he does best, starting quarterback Cade Klubnik will benefit greatly.

On the surface, Clemson may not look up to par with the Seminoles, but people are shocked by the results of things daily. At home, with a Clemson team that is looking to make a statement, the Tigers can prove the masses wrong and completely shake up the ACC.

Dabo Swinney on the Clemson vs. Florida State noon kickoff

Dabo Swinney commented on the noon kickoff time the Tigers were given for their matchup with the Seminoles.

Clemson fans were not happy with the decision of a noon kickoff for the Tigers’ big matchup with Florida State in Week 4.

Fans were hoping for a better time slot for one of the best matchups in the ACC this season. Now that the Tigers are unranked in the AP Poll, it looks like they are treating this matchup as that… a top-five team playing against an unranked team. 

While fans are worried about the kickoff time, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers aren’t. 

“Just tell us when we are going to play. I just enjoy having a chance to compete and play, regardless of whatever time it is,” he said Wednesday night. “Tell us when we are going to play. We don’t control that, so I don’t spend much time worrying about that.”

This is the answer you’d expect from a coach, and definitely the one you’d expect from a coach like Swinney. The Tigers need to perform against the Seminoles, and the time won’t affect their play on the field.

Rather than worry about the little things, Swinney and his coaching staff are worried about preparing their team for the matchup. Part of that preparation will come in their Week 3 matchup against Florida Atlantic at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Death Valley.

Social media reacts: People are not happy with a Clemson vs. Florida State noon kickoff

People are not thrilled with the announcement of Clemson vs. Florida State set for a noon kickoff.

Clemson has a Week 3 matchup against Florida Atlantic. As you might expect, however, almost everyone is looking toward the Tigers’ Week 4 matchup with Florida State in Death Valley. 

No matter how either team might perform before the matchup, Clemson-Florida State is a massive game in the ACC. If this game isn’t the biggest in the ACC each year, it is one of the top five. 

That is why the game time for this season’s matchup between the two ACC powerhouses has fans angry, confused and frustrated. The ACC announced the game is set for a noon kickoff, which is not what people were expecting. 

Here are some of the reactions to the game time that were posted to X, formerly known as Twitter: