EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 27^th, the (7-0) Clemson Tigers will be on the road to take on the (4-3) Florida State Seminoles.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Clemson 34.0 – Florida State 21.4 with an over/under of 55.4.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Clemson 38 – Florida State 17.

Mark is predicting a final score of Clemson 46 – Florida State 21.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Clemson 268.7 YPG > Florida State 265.7 YPG

Rushing offense: Clemson 253.7 YPG > Florida State 98.4 YPG

Scoring offense: Clemson 42.0 PPG > Florida State 25.1 PPG

Scoring defense: Clemson 13.4 PPG > Florida State 24.0 PPG

Passing defense: Clemson 158.6 YPG > Florida State 271.3 YPG

Rushing defense: Florida State 100.4 YPG > Clemson 107.7 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Clemson -0.2 > Florida State -1.3

Summary:

Clemson is a perfect (7-0) to start the season with wins over Furman, Texas A&M, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Wake Forest, and #17 NC State.  Clemson is coming off an absolutely dominant 41-7 win over #17 NC State.  The Tigers rank 12^th in points per game (42.0) and 3^rd in scoring defense (13.4 PPG).  Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has completed 68% of his passes for 1,176 yards with 12 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.  Running back Travis Etienne has rushed for 800 yards and leads the nation with 14 touchdowns on the ground.  Tee Higgins leads the team in receiving with 426 yards and 4 touchdowns.  The Tigers’ defense ranks 5^th against the pass (158.6 YPG) and 14^th against the run (107.7 YPG).  Clemson has arguably the best defensive line in the nation and they are averaging 3.0 sacks per game.

Florida State is (4-3) to start the season with victories over Samford, Northern Illinois, Louisville, and Wake Forest.  They were defeated by #20 Virginia Tech, Syracuse, and #17 Miami.  The Seminoles rank 94^th in points per game (25.1) and 51^st in scoring defense (24.0 PPG).  Quarterback Deondre Francois has completed 62% of his passes for 1,859 yards with 13 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.  Cam Akers leads the team in rushing with 460 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Florida State, as a team, is averaging a pathetic 2.9 yards per carry.  NyQwan Murray is the team’s most dangerous receiver with 487 yards and 3 touchdowns.  The Seminoles’ defense ranks 113^th against the pass (271.3 YPG) and 8^th against the run (100.4 YPG).  Florida State ranks 125^th in turnover margin (-1.3).

Bottom Line:

This could easily be seen as a trap game for Clemson coming off their blowout win at home against NC State.  Florida State’s turnover issues and protecting Deondre Francois is going to be a problem against Clemson’s terrific defensive line.  Trevor Lawrence should light up a very weak Florida State secondary as Clemson rolls to an easy road win against their rivals.

Clemson wins 36-14

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