First look: Top storylines, betting odds for Clemson vs. Florida State football game
No. 4 Clemson continues its ACC Atlantic Division tour this week when it visits Florida State for a Saturday night college football showdown in Tallahassee.
Here’s an early look at the primetime contest.
Clemson vs. Florida State game, TV info
Who: No. 4 Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) at Florida State (4-2, 2-2 ACC)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee
TV: ABC
Vegas odds: Clemson vs. FSU betting line
Clemson is a consensus four-point favorite against Florida State, according to VegasInsider. It’s the seventh consecutive season the Tigers have been favored against the Seminoles but Clemson’s lowest spread since being favored by four points against FSU in 2016, per Odds Shark.
Last meeting, trends
Last season, running back Will Shipley’s go-ahead touchdown with 2:53 remaining fueled a 30-20 Clemson win over FSU in Memorial Stadium. The Tigers trailed 20-17 in the fourth quarter before Shipley’s score with 2:53 remaining and also returned a fumble for a touchdown on the game’s final play, a desperation hook and ladder.
FSU leads the all-time series against Clemson 20-14, but the Tigers have won six straight in the series dating back to 2015, the first time they made the College Football Playoff.
Before 2015, FSU had won three straight from 2012 to 2014 and five of seven against Clemson from 2008 to 2014. That run included FSU’s 2013 BCS national championship and 2014 College Football Playoff appearance.
Last week for Clemson
Clemson turned in a mediocre first half against Boston College on the road before exploding for 21 second-half points and cruising to a 31-3 win. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns (all after halftime) and added 69 yards as a rusher.
The Tigers defense, once again down a number of key contributors, limited Boston College to a field goal and 254 total yards. Clemson also had four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.
After another convincing win, undefeated Clemson jumped Michigan for the No. 4 spot in Sunday’s new AP Top 25 poll behind Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama. The Tigers hadn’t reached that No. 4 ranking since the preseason.
Last week for Florida State
For a second straight week, FSU battled a ranked ACC Atlantic opponent and fell just short. The Seminoles drove down to No. 15 N.C. State’s 22-yard line in the final minute, trailing 19-17, but quarterback Jordan Travis got picked off in the end zone with 38 seconds left.
Florida State — in Mike Norvell’s third season as coach — rose to No. 23 in the AP poll two weeks ago after a 4-0 start but lost to No. 14 Wake Forest at home and N.C. State on the road Saturday. FSU was sixth among teams receiving votes outside of the Top 25 on Sunday.
Clemson vs. FSU players to watch
Clemson running back Phil Mafah: The sophomore, who had a season-high 36 rushing yards against BC, becomes an even more important rotational player behind Will Shipley going forward. Clemson’s other backup running back, Kobe Pace, will miss at least four weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas: After missing Clemson’s first five games with a foot injury, the dynamic Thomas returned against Boston College and recorded two sacks and a forced fumble on just six snaps.
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis: Travis is coming off his least efficient game of the season (two interceptions against N.C. State) but his best rushing performance, too (108 yards with a long of 71). That’s a nod toward his consistent playmaking ability in one way or another. He’s the player who makes FSU’s offense go.
Florida State defensive back Jammie Robinson: Robinson, a South Carolina transfer and former all-freshman SEC pick, is once again thriving for Florida State. The versatile 5-foot-11 defender has 43 tackles, three pass deflections and a pick this season.
