It's Halloween night in Tallahassee, a 7:00 PM kickoff under overcast skies with gusts up to 27 mph, and Mike Norvell is coaching a game the Tallahassee Democrat called a must-win. Clemson walks in on six days' rest after a home loss Dabo Swinney said "will leave a scar." I'm laying the points with Florida State. The Seminoles are better than 3-4. Against FBS teams in regulation, FSU has outscored opponents by 7 points over six games, while Clemson has been outscored by 36. Both played Miami. FSU was tied 28-28 at the end of regulation on the road, and Clemson lost 13-41 at home. Clemson's offense can't finish. It has 9 touchdowns on 23 red-zone trips, and Tait Reynolds has 1 touchdown pass on 180 attempts. On third down against FBS, it's 26 of 87. Nolan Hauser (18 of 19 on field goals) keeps Clemson in games, but trading 3s for 7s doesn't cover 5.5, not against an FSU offense that has cashed 20 of 27 red-zone trips. It's been a messy week at Clemson. The play-calling question from the Virginia Tech loss still isn't answered. Swinney publicly criticized Gideon Davidson, the 5.3-yards-per-carry starter, and hinted at more work for Chris Johnson Jr. (4.4) and Jay Haynes (25 yards on 9 carries). FSU had 13 days to prepare. Losing Ousmane Kromah stings, but Quintrevion Wisner is averaging 5.4 a carry with 12 catches for 151 yards, and Ashton Daniels already has 11 rushing touchdowns. The risks are real. FSU's run defense gave up 258, 402 and 260 rushing yards to Alabama, Louisville and Miami, and Clemson ran for 269 at Cal. The Seminoles blew leads of 15, 14 and 7 in those three losses. Daniels has 8 interceptions, and the wind could squeeze the scoring. Clemson's 9-of-10 run in this series means little with these rosters. On the season numbers, FSU is about a touchdown better, and this line asks for less. Florida State −5.5.
It's Halloween night in Tallahassee, a 7:00 PM kickoff under overcast skies with gusts up to 27 mph, and Mike Norvell is coaching a game the Tallahassee Democrat called a must-win. Clemson walks in on six days' rest after a home loss Dabo Swinney said "will leave a scar." I'm laying the points with Florida State.
The Seminoles are better than 3-4. Against FBS teams in regulation, FSU has outscored opponents by 7 points over six games, while Clemson has been outscored by 36. Both played Miami. FSU was tied 28-28 at the end of regulation on the road, and Clemson lost 13-41 at home.
Clemson's offense can't finish. It has 9 touchdowns on 23 red-zone trips, and Tait Reynolds has 1 touchdown pass on 180 attempts. On third down against FBS, it's 26 of 87. Nolan Hauser (18 of 19 on field goals) keeps Clemson in games, but trading 3s for 7s doesn't cover 5.5, not against an FSU offense that has cashed 20 of 27 red-zone trips.
It's been a messy week at Clemson. The play-calling question from the Virginia Tech loss still isn't answered. Swinney publicly criticized Gideon Davidson, the 5.3-yards-per-carry starter, and hinted at more work for Chris Johnson Jr. (4.4) and Jay Haynes (25 yards on 9 carries). FSU had 13 days to prepare. Losing Ousmane Kromah stings, but Quintrevion Wisner is averaging 5.4 a carry with 12 catches for 151 yards, and Ashton Daniels already has 11 rushing touchdowns.
The risks are real. FSU's run defense gave up 258, 402 and 260 rushing yards to Alabama, Louisville and Miami, and Clemson ran for 269 at Cal. The Seminoles blew leads of 15, 14 and 7 in those three losses. Daniels has 8 interceptions, and the wind could squeeze the scoring. Clemson's 9-of-10 run in this series means little with these rosters.
On the season numbers, FSU is about a touchdown better, and this line asks for less. Florida State −5.5.
Florida State -5.5