Tag: Clemson vs. Florida State

Mark Richt believes Clemson is ‘only gonna feel good if they win this game against Florida State’

College football analyst and former coach Mark Richt said this about Clemson’s upcoming matchup with Florida State.

Former ACC and SEC head coach Mark Richt is a well-respected figure in college football, and he shared his opinions on the Tigers following their 66-7 win over Charleston Southern on Saturday. 

Appearing on ACC Network’s “ACC Huddle,” Richt spoke about what is going on with the Tigers program. The win against CSU was a strong one, but Richt believes Clemson fans want more out of the team. According to the former coach, Tigers’ fans are only going to feel good if the Tigers win their matchup against Florida State in Week 4. 

“Well, I think Clemson is only gonna feel good if they win this game against Florida State because right now they’re in pain,” said the former Miami and Georgia head coach.

“I mean, even the first couple of touchdowns of the game (vs. CSU), the fans that I heard were booing after that pick six. It’s not an exciting time for Clemson right now. The only game that will vindicate their season, in my opinion, is the game coming up at the end of the month here against Florida State. So, that’s going to be a monster for Clemson for a lot of reasons.”

There is no denying the game against Florida State is arguably the biggest of the year. Now outside of the AP Top 25, a matchup with No. 3 FSU at home should be an interesting one. 

We can’t ignore that the Tigers need to take the season one game at a time, and their matchup against Florida Atlantic needs to be priority No. 1. Handle that game, and then we can worry about FSU.

Clemson vs. Florida State game time announced

The game time for Clemson’s home matchup against Florida State has been released.

Friday, Sept. 22

  • NC State at Virginia, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN – Friday, 9/22 as previously announced

Saturday, Sept. 23

  • Florida State at Clemson, Noon ET on ABC
  • Army at Syracuse, Noon ET on ACC Network
  • Virginia Tech at Marshall, Noon ET on ESPN2
  • Boston College at Louisville, 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network
  • Miami at Temple, 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
  • Duke at UConn, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBSSN – as previously announced
  • Georgia Tech at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network
  • North Carolina at Pitt, 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network – featuring ACC Huddle

ACC Notes

  • On Sept. 23, Florida State and Clemson will mark the fourth time this season an ACC team has played in ABC’s Saturday noon game – Virginia (Sept. 2), NC State (Sept. 9), Florida State and Boston College (Sept. 16).
  • In Week 1 of the 2023 season, the ACC captivated the national audience, averaging 5.1 million viewers – more than double all other conferences in the highest average per game viewership for the week.
  • During the first three weeks of the season, the ACC has a pair of games on ABC’s Saturday Night Football as well as 11 appearances on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
    • In total, seven ACC contests are scheduled for national ABC broadcasts and ACC Network will also feature 13 games.
    • Of the 10 full national ABC telecasts, seven of them feature seven different institutions.

– Press release via The ACC

Former LSU running back thinks Clemson deserve more respect

Another analyst shared their thoughts on the status of the Clemson Tigers within the national conversation.

At this point, I think we are all ready to start playing football.

Another analyst shared their thoughts on the status of the Tigers within the national conversation.

Former LSU running back, now college football analyst Jacob Hester, was on Sirus XM Radio vouching for the Clemson Tigers. Hester doesn’t understand how the Tigers have dominated the ACC, which is still a power five conference, but somehow they’re at the bottom of the top ten, behind Florida State.

“They go and get Garrett Riley from the No. 2 team in the country, TCU, to be their offensive coordinator,” Hester said on Sirius XM College Sports Radio. Now, Cade Klubnik is unproven. There’s no doubt about that. But you have Will Shipley yet again to turn around and hand the ball off to, and I think that he is going to be opened up in this new Garrett Riley offense, by the way, and we’re going to find out from the first game.”

Hester didn’t discredit the Noles, though. He acknowledges the new resurgence of the Noles in the last two years, but not enough to crown a new king.

“And it’s not to say that Florida State is not a good team,” Hester said. “But I’ve heard way too many people just assume that Florida State is going to take over the reins of the ACC where Clemson last year, they won the conference, and it wasn’t close.”

CBS Sports ACC expert picks are split on Clemson or Florida State as ACC Champion in 2023

CBS Sports ACC experts are split on Clemson and Florida State. Who’s conference will it be in 2023?

The 2023 college football season is almost here, and the anticipation is through the roof as the ACC has two programs capable of winning the ACC and making a serious run to the College Football Playoff. 

While there are no guarantees, the odds on favorites to face off in the 2023 ACC Championship are Clemson and Florida State. Though Clemson remains the betting favorite, the hype surrounding the Seminoles is extreme, with many believing the ACC is their conference to lose. 

Has the hype gone too far, or will FSU take the college football world by storm? CBS Sports ACC experts recently broke down the conference and are split on whether Clemson or FSU will take home the ACC Championship. 

It was a five to three-split in favor of Clemson, with analyst Chip Patterson leading the charge for the Tigers.

Riley’s hire sparks memories of what Chad Morris once did to bring a new energy to Clemson’s offense. I think it will certainly benefit Klubnik as the former five-star prospect takes control of an offense that should be quarterback friendly and allow the Tigers’ wide receiver room to step forward as well. Throughout these “down years” — with 12-straight double-digit win seasons, not making the playoff could be considered a down year, I suppose — the defense has remained strong. I think that group will maintain the standard thanks to the best linebacking corps in the conference and a disruptive interior defensive line. If the passing attack improves significantly, Clemson might not just be a conference champion but a legitimate playoff contender. Even if it’s only marginal improvements, the Tigers are well-positioned to win their eighth ACC title in a nine-year run. — Patterson (Dodd, Fornelli, Palm, Cobb)

On the other side of things, three analysts led by Barrett Sallee believe the Seminoles will win the conference this season.

Buy the Seminoles because they are absolutely loaded. Travis’ return at quarterback gives Norvell a perfect chance to get as creative as possible with the offense. The combination of a solid running game led by Trey Benson and a deep, talented and tall receiving corps provides more chess pieces to move around offensively. Plus, the fact that he was able to re-recruit defensive lineman Jared Verse to campus instead of moving on to the NFL was one of the most important moves of the offseason. This is one of the most complete teams in the country, and the Seminoles have a chance to make the College Football Playoff. — Sallee (Jeyarajah, Backus)

What do you think heading into 2023? It is pretty up in the air right now, but I tend to lean toward experience rather than hype.

There’s no doubt that the Seminoles are oozing with talent, but it’s tough to ignore who they played in their “hot stretch” last season, where they barely walked away with a win in their Cheez-It Bowl matchup against one of the worst Oklahoma teams we’ve seen in years.

The Tigers, like FSU, only got better this offseason. In my eyes, it is still Clemson’s conference to lose.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Clemson vs. Florida State ranks as a top 7 conference game for the 2023 college football season

The hype around Clemson vs. Florida State continues to build as we approach the 2023 college football season.

The ACC in 2023 will likely be a battle between two top college football programs, Clemson and Florida State.

For the past ten seasons, the ACC has been Clemson’s conference. The Tigers dominated during that time, winning the ACC seven of the last ten seasons while adding two national championships. While FSU won the first two of the past ten, including a national championship of their own, the program fell off drastically for a time.

It seems that fall-off has come to an end as the Seminoles are back among the best and have become arguably the most hyped team in the country heading into the upcoming season. There are many who see FSU as the top team in the ACC, and this hype has made the Clemson vs. Florida State matchup on September 23 one of the most highly anticipated games for the upcoming season. 

According to Bleacher Report, this matchup is one of the seven most exciting conference games of the season. Here is what writer David Kenyon had to say about the game. 

This season, the ACC Championship Game has a new format that is familiar around the nation. Instead of division champs playing for the league title, it’ll be the two teams with the best winning percentage in conference play.

That’s the long version of saying Clemson and Florida State might be headed for a rematch in December.

But a victory in September will be particularly valuable for one.

Clemson owns seven straight wins in the series, although FSU put a mild scare into the Tigers last year. Clemson’s 20-point advantage in the fourth quarter dwindled to just six in the closing minutes.

This season, Florida State has a hugely experienced roster with arguably the strongest class of incoming transfers. Clemson, meanwhile, is shifting to a new quarterback (Cade Klubnik) and offensive coordinator (Garrett Riley) but stacked with talent, especially on defense.

The winner takes an early edge as the ACC front-runner.

What makes this game that much more exciting is that it could be a preview of the 2023 ACC Championship game. We cannot wait to see how this game plays out.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Dabo Swinney shares high praise for Florida State and the ‘electric’ Clemson-Florida State rivalry

Dabo Swinney discusses Florida State and the Tigers’ rivalry with the Seminoles.

When discussing the Clemson-Florida State rivalry during the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff Thursday, Dabo Swinney said the matchup is “always electric,” with both programs fighting for supremacy on top of the conference this time around.

At this point, I’m sure everyone knows what the ACC looks like heading into next season, as it is one of the most heavily discussed topics in college football. Is it Florida State’s time to return to the top of the conference, or will Clemson remain the top dog and win an eighth conference championship out of the last nine. 

The popular opinion has been on the side of the Seminoles. However, many believe the ACC is still Clemson’s conference to lose. Analytics, on the other hand, heavily favor the Tigers in 2023. 

During ACC Football Kickoff Thursday, Swinney showed great respect for Florida State. 

“They’re a great football team. Mike’s done an unbelievable job, bunch of great players,” Swinney said. “I love their quarterback, first of all, he’s a great kid. He’s an amazing player, and you know, you saw that last year. I mean, we had a pretty good lead on them there in the fourth quarter, and that’s a reflection of their belief in what they’re doing and where they are. Because those kids didn’t quit. And I mean, next thing you know, it’s coming down to an onside kick. So they’ll be a big battle for sure.”

Clemson has won the previous seven matchups with FSU, but that doesn’t mean anything on game day. When discussing the rivalry, Swinney knows just how important the game is yearly, no matter what each program looks like that season.

“Regardless, if we’re both 4-4 or 8-0, Clemson-Florida State means a lot to a lot of people. It’s a big game. It’s certainly one of those rival type games that goes way back. But yeah, I’ve been a part of a lot of big ones…in the past that game determined the division…it might determine who’s going to the playoff,” the Clemson head coach said.

This season is different for both programs; with the ACC moving from divisions to the 3-5-5 format, the Tigers and Seminoles can meet in the ACC Championship. The Week 4 matchup between the two is shaping up to be electric, as Swinney would say, but that may not be the only time they meet this season.

The ACC should be exciting in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

247Sports predicts a Death Valley game to be among the 10 loudest in college football

Clemson fans bring the noise in the Tigers’ biggest matchups.

Clemson has one of the best home-field advantages in college football, and that is due to the environment and the fans that make it possible. 

Heading into the 2023 season, 247Sports predicted college football’s loudest stadiums in 2023, with a matchup in Death Valley making the top 10. Not only did a matchup in Death Valley make the cut, but Clemson will also participate in another one of the top ten games on the road. 

First mentioned is the Tigers’ matchup with Florida State in Memorial Stadium, which ranked No.9 out of 17. Here is what writer Brad Crawford had to say about the matchup.

Clemson’s record-setting home winning streak ended in its regular-season finale, but Memorial Stadium remains one of toughest places to play in college football since Dabo Swinney took over the program. Trips to South Carolina have been a house of horrors for the Seminoles, who posted one win at Clemson since 2003, that one coming in 2013 with Jameis Winston at quarterback. Fans could see this matchup twice this season should the Tigers and Seminoles coast through the ACC slate like most project.

This matchup, with the Seminoles on paper, is the most important in the ACC heading into the season. Things obviously change throughout the season, but there is no doubt that this one is huge. The other game mentioning Clemson is when the Tigers head to Williams-Brice Stadium, where they face rivals South Carolina, ranking No.7.

South Carolina’s home venue does not get its due, nationally, but when the Gamecocks are good, this place rocks on Saturday nights. Last season, fifth-ranked Tennessee was saddled with the victim label when South Carolina dropped 63 points on the Volunteers in late November before following that up with a victory over Clemson, snapping the Tigers’ nation-leading home win streak. South Carolina also beat Texas A&M in Columbia last season, the first win in school history over the Aggies.

The Tigers have some huge matchups in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Where Clemson ranks in 247Sports ACC preseason power rankings

Clemson and Florida State are the top two teams in the ACC heading into 2023.

The 2023 season is a massive one for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program as they look to prove to everyone that they remain among the elite. 

Among the ACC, the Tigers remain a top dog, but there are questions on whether they are still the top dog. Returning the most talent in the country, Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles have received tremendous hype heading into the season. That hype was enough to give them the No.1 ranking in 247Sports ACC preseason power rankings.

Clemson ranked No.2 in their rankings, though writer Grant Hughes does acknowledge the Tigers could win the ACC this season. Here is what Hughes had to say. 

 The Tigers could very well claim their eighth ACC championship in the last nine seasons in 2023. Their defense is set and should finish among the nation’s best. Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin welcomes back eight starters, including the entirety of his backfield. Linebackers Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter, along with defensive lineman Tyler Davis should all be in play for ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

However, Clemson has questions at receiver, and it may still be too early to crown Cade Klubnik as the conference’s next great quarterback after an up-and-down performance in the Orange Bowl. New offensive coordinator Garrett Riley should mask some of these concerns as the offseason progresses, and Clemson could find itself atop these rankings this fall.

Opinions have gone both ways, but the most popular opinion to win the ACC is Florida State taking the crown right now. It seems certain that when Clemson and Florida State face each other in Week 4, it should be a battle.

The ACC will be fun in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Recruits react to Clemson’s big win over Florida State

After Clemson’s 34-28 win over Florida State at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Saturday night, The Clemson Insider reached out to various Clemson commits and other prospects to get their reactions to the team’s latest win. Here’s what some recruits had …

After Clemson’s 34-28 win over Florida State at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Saturday night, The Clemson Insider reached out to various Clemson commits and other prospects to get their reactions to the team’s latest win.

Here’s what some recruits had to say:

Clemson commit A.J. Hoffler. 2023 four-star defensive end, Woodward Academy (College Park, Ga.): “Not too surprised we won. It’s what I expect on a week-to-week basis and the d-line continues to keep dominating the opposing o-line which is getting me real excited to get up there and be a part of it!”

Clemson commit Branden Strozier, 2023 four-star cornerback, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.): “It was a great game in my opinion, for them to come play in an environment like that and make the plays that they did was really big.”

Khalil Barnes, 2023 three-star defensive back, North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.): “Very impressive. Never seems like Clemson loses their cool. Always poised and they played against the refs tonight too, so that’s a huge win.

Adonis McDaniel, 2023 wide receiver, Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.): “Honestly, was a great game. Glad we pulled it out and got the W. Everybody was making plays, which helps the team in different situations. Some might have made the best plays but made the play the team needed. It was also good to see my guy (freshman wide receiver) Antonio (Williams) get in the box again for a touchdown last night. It’s always good to see S.C. ballers making plays at the next level, like how (Tennesee WR) Jaylin Hyatt had a big game last night — that’s what we need. I feel like people like them are going to help draw more attention for us athletes in South Carolina.”

Sammy Brown, 2024 five-star linebacker, Jefferson (Ga.): “I thought that the offense and defense played great. Maybe let up a little at the end, but a W is a  W. Great to go into their house and silence them!”

Wendell Gregory, 2024 four-star linebacker, Walton (Marietta, Ga.): “Win was electric. Amazing team win.”

Alex Taylor, 2024 four-star wide receiver, Grimsley (Greensboro, N.C.): “Offense looked really great, slowed down in the second half but still looked good, and defense played alright but getting all the guys healthy in the next weeks they should be back to one of the best in the nation, but D.J. (Uiagalelei) looked sharp and very confident.”

Fletcher Westphal, 2024 four-star offensive lineman, Tuscarora (Leesburg, Va.): “I didn’t see the game, but I’m not surprised by the win. Looking at the score looks like Florida State put up a good fight

Ian Flynt, 2024 three-star tight end, Taylor (Katy, TX.): “It was good to see them continue on that winning streak, just steam-rolling everyone. What was cool to see was (sophomore running back) Will Shipleyu continually doing his thing and also getting to see the offense continually using (senior tight end) Davis Allen as a vertical weapon.”

Blake Frazier, 2024 offensive lineman, Vandegrift (Austin, TX.): “It was a great game. Lots of back and forth between the teams, but Will Shipley had an amazing game and the offense as a whole just dominated. Excited to see what they can do next week against Syracuse.”

Israel Boyce,2024 defensive back, Douglas County (Douglasville, Ga.): “It was a great win both offense and defense started to click after halftime. It was a little shaky in the first half but I knew they were going to come out the next half locked in.”

Cortez Smith, 2025 offensive lineman, Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.): “I thought it was an awesome win!! They kept fighting and continued to play hard!! I love it!!!”

Julian Lewis, 2026 quarterback, Carrolton (Ga.): “That was my first time seeing Clemson on the road. Impressed by how they competed and their toughness on offense.”

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store. There are only 100 of each signed.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Gallery: The best photos from Clemson vs. Florida State

Here are the best photos from Clemson’s win over Florida State on Saturday night.

Although Florida State stormed back late to close the gap, Clemson ultimately left Tallahassee, Fla., on Saturday night with a 34-28 victory.

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had another strong outing, completing 65.2% of his passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns. The junior signal-caller also reached the endzone for a fourth time using his legs.

When Uiagalelei wasn’t the one making plays, running back Will Shipley was usually the player who did, as he finished with 169 total yards and a 69-yard kickoff return to open the second half that resulted in a Clemson touchdown.

Defensively, the Tigers struggled in the fourth quarter and gave up 460 total yards on the night. Contrary to the previous six games, Clemson’s run defense also had its fair share of issues, as Florida State gained 206 yards on the ground.

Still, Wes Goodwin and the Tigers’ defense came through when needed and held the Seminoles to under 30 points.

With the win, Clemson is 7-0 on the year as the Tigers prepare for a Top 15 matchup against Syracuse in Week 8.

That said, here are some of the best photos from the Tigers’ road win over the Seminoles.