The Rivalry Continues: Clemson vs Florida State
All The Offseason Hype:
Florida State will enter the 2023 season with some pretty heavy praise, like they haven’t seen since the 2015 season. Florida State comes in at #4 in the ESPN 2023 Way Too Early CFB Top 25. Florida State also has the highest ACC preseason win total projections. Mike Norvell is (still) the Seminole’s head coach, and he is in his 4th season leading the team.
What Is Coming Back?
Florida State is bringing back 87% of their total production last year, 80% on offense and 94% on
defense. Those numbers are good enough to land the Seminoles at the #1 spot for the returning production ratings, which would explain why the national media is so high on this team.
Clemson was able to go into Doak Campbell Stadium last year and secure a victory, however, Florida State did win 10 games, including wins over Florida, Oklahoma, Miami, and eventual SEC West Champion LSU.
Florida State Offense By The Numbers:
Florida State is returning their starting quarterback, Jordan Travis who threw for 3,214 total yards and for 24 total touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Travis also added 82 rushing attempts for 417 yards and 7 additional touchdowns. Florida State had the #10 total offense in the 2022 season. Other than Jordan Travis, Florida State is also bringing back their top 2 running backs from last year and their 6’7” wide receiver Johnny Wilson. Also joining the offense from the transfer portal will be Keon Coleman (Michigan State) WR, and Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) TE. All of the national pundits are very high on the FSU offense coming into the 2023 season and expect this team to do very big things.
Florida State Defense By The Numbers:
The Seminole’s defense finished the 2022 campaign ranked #15 in total defense. Florida State was very good against the pass last season finishing 4th in passing yards allowed, however, struggled to stop the run. Adam Fuller (Defensive Coordinator) saw his team finish the season at #75 in rush defense, giving up 156.4 yards per game. Jared Verse (potential first-round pick) shocked the country when he announced that he would be coming back for another season in Tallahassee. Verse is a dominant defensive lineman who stands at 6’4” and 251 lbs. In 2022 Jared Verse tallied 47 total tackles and 9 sacks. The defense will need to take a big step forward in defending the run in 2022 if Florida State wants to take the next step and hit the goals that the national media has placed upon them.
Clemson vs Florida State Recent History:
Clemson has beaten Florida State in seven consecutive games and 8 years (2020 game not played in the Covid season). In the most recent contest, Clemson went into Doak Campbell Stadium and earned a 34-28 victory in the ABC Game of the Week. The final score was closer than the game really was, Clemson held a 34-14 lead after three complete quarters and the game seemed to be over. The Clemson offense took their foot off the gas and let Florida State climb back into the game, but the game never really felt that close.
Will Shipley ran all over the Seminole defense last season, with 20 carries for 121 yards, a 6.1 yards per carry, and DJ Uiagalelei went 15-23 for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns.
What Will This Year’s Game Look Like?
The 2023 matchup between the Clemson Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles will take place on Saturday, September 23rd inside Clemson’s Death Valley. Florida State will be a very good team, and a big-time challenge for the Tigers this upcoming season. However, with the current streak, and the game being played at home for Clemson, It might be too much for the Seminoles to overcome. Even though Clemson and Florida State will not be in the same Atlantic Division, as the ACC got rid of divisions going into the 2023 season, this will still be a very important matchup inside the ACC and could possibly have massive College Football Playoff implications. This could very well be the biggest and most important game on each team’s schedule. Buckle your chin straps, we may be in store for a resurgence in the ACC rivalry between Florida State and the Clemson Tigers.
