Behind Enemy Lines: Dustin Lewis of NoleGameday previews FSU at Clemson

Dustin Lewis of NoleGameday breaks down Florida State at Clemson, sharing some insights from the other side.

Dustin Lewis of NoleGameday was kind enough to offer his perspective on the monumentally big game coming up this Saturday at noon. Clemson (2-1, 0-1 ACC) will welcome in No. 4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC).

Lewis gave us his takes on the game and shared some of his insight into the rivalry. Check out what he had to say below.

Florida State (via X) / Florida State Athletics

Is the feeling among the Florida State fanbase optimistic or skeptical about the team through three weeks?

Florida State fans were more than pleased prior to the debacle in the second half against Boston College last week. The Seminoles handled LSU and Southern Miss but left Chestnut Hill with more questions than answers after nearly collapsing down the stretch. There are plenty of negatives to take away from the performance but the wake-up call might’ve come at the perfect time as the program tries to defeat Clemson for the first time in nine years. The team can put the nightmare behind them with a victory against the Tigers. With that being said, the Seminoles are going to have to find a way to settle down. It feels like they’re playing for the big play on both sides of the ball rather than taking what’s coming to them. Will they press harder against a team that no one on FSU’s roster has ever defeated?

We just saw Tennessee get blasted by Florida in the Swamp in a matchup that felt similar to the upcoming matchup between FSU and Clemson. Are there any reservations about this one being in Death Valley?

It’s definitely something to consider as every college football fan understands that Death Valley is one of the loudest stadiums in the country. Clemson has a crowd that consistently shows up to bring energy, especially during the Tigers’ rise over the last decade and especially when Florida State comes to town.

The Seminoles had their first true road game of the season last weekend and everyone knows how that turned out. Florida State tried to replicate the noise they’ll face on Saturday throughout practice but there’s nothing that can truly emulate the real thing. One positive is that the roster is still littered with plenty of players who took the trip to Clemson in 2021 - a game that the team led in the fourth quarter before falling short.

Florida State has a number of big-time playmakers on the outside. Which receiver is Jordan Travis looking to first?

I would say that it’s really a mix as Florida State has a variety of skill players at its disposal that all bring different flavors to the offense. The top target is probably Johnny Wilson, who stands at 6-foot-7 and became Jordan Travis’ favorite option last year as he settled into the offense. Wilson has struggled with drops at times this year but is coming off a 105-yard performance last week.

Outside of that, wide receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Jaheim Bell are players to keep your eyes on. Bell is someone that Clemson fans are already familiar with after matching up with South Carolina over the last few years. Coleman can legitimately stretch the field and is probably the best wide receiver on Florida State’s roster with his mix of athleticism and ball skills. However, he’s coming off a rough game and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Where does Florida State have the biggest advantage?

This should be an extremely competitive game on both sides of the ball. I think one area where the Seminoles could find an edge is with their receivers against Clemson’s defensive backfield. Florida State has a ton of size and playmaking ability between Johnny Wilson (6-foot-7), Keon Coleman (6-foot-4), Darion Williamson (6-foot-3), and Jaheim Bell (6-foot-3).

The passing game was in sync as Jordan Travis dialed up big plays to Wilson, Coleman, and Bell. It’s been a little less inspiring the last two weeks. If they can find the connection that was there to open the season, they could create some mismatches against the Tigers.

Any concern about this being a noon kick?

I’m not sure. Florida State had its well-documented lulls against Boston College but I don’t believe that was due to the game being early. Really, it felt like the Seminoles took their foot off the gas after going up 31-10 and could never recover.

The early kick might end up going in FSU’s favor if it means the environment in Death Valley is dampened by even a smidge.