Clemson vs Florida St Preview and Prediction |
Fresh off an upset loss to Georgia Tech, the Clemson Tigers limp into Tallahassee
on Saturday to take on Florida State in a battle for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. Bowden Bowl hoopla aside, this is the first truly important late-season ACC game in the last ten years. QUARTERBACKS- Woodrow Dantzler's status will likely remain in question up until game time as the Clemson quarterback struggles to recover from an ankle injury. Should he be unable to go, red-shirt freshman Willie Simmons has proven to be a capable backup, particularly in the passing game. For the Seminoles, 28 year-old Chris Weinke has lit up opposing defenses for nearly 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in Florida State's first nine games. Unless the Tigers can find a way to revamp their anemic pass rush, don't expect Weinke to slow down Saturday night. Advantage: Florida State RUNNING BACKS- Senior Travis Minor leads the Seminole rushing attack with a 73-yard per game average while fullback William McCray has plowed his way to seven short-yardage touchdowns (McCray might not play against Clemson due to a leg strain suffered in practice this week). The Clemson rushing game starts with tailback Travis Zachery, one of the ACC's best. For the Tigers to have a chance, Zachery will have to come through with a solid performance. Advantage: Clemson CLEMSON RECEIVERS VS. FLORIDA STATE SECONDARY- Florida State's secondary is quick and experienced, allowing just over 200 yards passing per game. Not unlike Clemson, the Seminoles play an aggressive brand of defense that can be exploited for big plays. It will be critical for Rod Gardner and the Tiger receiving corps to break loose for a few big gains in order to take pressure of the Clemson rushing attack. Advantage: Even FLORIDA STATE RECEIVERS VS, CLEMSON SECONDARY- When junior receiver Robert Morgan went down with a broken toe this Wednesday the Seminoles lost an exceptional athlete and a legitimate deep threat. Regardless, Florida State is still loaded with talented receivers such as Marvin Minnis, Anquan Bolden, and Atrews Bell. This match-up couldn't come at a worse time for a Clemson secondary that's been battered of late. A nickel package would certainly make sense against the nation's #1 ranked passing offense; whether Reggie Herring feels that way remains to be seen. Advantage: Florida State CLEMSON OFFENSIVE LINE VS. FLORIDA STATE DEFENSIVE LINE- Establishing a rushing attack against Florida State hasn't been easy in 2000. The Seminoles rank second nationally against the run, allowing only 66 yards per game and a total of five rushing touchdowns. That fact in mind, Saturday's game will provide the Clemson offensive line with easily their biggest challenge to date. Advantage: Florida State FLORIDA STATE OFFENSIVE LINE VS. CLEMSON DEFENSIVE LINE- This match-up isn't hard to dissect: If the Clemson defensive line can't generate pressure on Weinke then the Tigers will be toast. Judging from Clemson's recent performances, things don't look good. Advantage: Florida State LINEBACKERS- Two of the nation's best linebackers will be on display in Tallahassee in Clemson's Keith Adams and Florida State's Tommy Polley. Often overlooked in Adams' shadow, Chad Carson has quietly become an exceptional inside linebacker in his own right. Advantage: Clemson SPECIAL TEAMS- Enjoy good field goal kicking? Check out the North Carolina- Pittsburgh game on ESPN2. Advantage: Even COACHING- Last season, almost everyone involved expected an offensive slugfest in the first Bowden Bowl in Death Valley. What they got was a defensive tug of war that went down to the final minute. Both coaching staffs know the other's tendencies; both head coaches aren't afraid to take risks. As for talent, Florida State clearly has the edge but the Tigers will be hungry. On paper, the Seminoles win easily but, strange as it may seem, this game should turn out to be another nail-biter. Advantage: Even Florida State- 28 Clemson- 24
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