ESPN Analyst Has FSU a 'Slight Favorite' in Top ACC Showdown Against Clemson

The popular college football analyst had high praise for quarterback Jordan Travis as well.

With the 2023 college football season charging around the corner and the preseason top 25 coming out in just a little under two weeks, experts continue to weigh in about who is winning what, when, and how as they eagerly await the roaring cheers of sold-out stadiums on Saturdays.

In the ACC, for now, one of the most anticipated matchups will take place during week four in Death Valley when the Florida State Seminoles take on the Clemson Tigers in what could be a prelude to a conference title game.

READ MORE: ESPN Releases Hype Video Featuring FSU's Jordan Travis And Lawrance Toafili

Greg McElroy weighed in on the subject and gave his opinion during an episode of "Always College Football" and he seems to have the 'Noles as a slight favorite.

"When you look at the roster right now, when you look at the known commodities that Florida State has, and the known commodities that Clemson has right now, I lean in favor of Florida State," Elroy said. "It doesn't mean Florida State will win the game because the best team doesn't always win." 

When looking at the rosters, at least on paper, they are similar in some ways. Both teams have a top-tier defensive line and a strong running game, and Clemson's Cade Klubnick was able to dethrone former starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei but has yet to start a full season at the college level, so his capabilities, at least from the outside, still remain veiled. And that's one of the most significant differences between them.

"The best roster doesn't always win, but if you look at what one team has versus what the other team has, I lean just ever so slightly in favor of Florida State."

Florida State's Jordan Travis is entering his sixth season playing college football, so it is a little unfair to compare him with Klubnick, who has only played 10 games to Travis' 38. But, Travis is coming off an undeniably remarkable season. He threw for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 64% of his passes, and the Heisman candidate has developed into a true dual-threat, adding 417 yards on the ground and seven more trips to the end zone.  

"Jordan Travis is the star of the show," McElroy went on to say. "I think he's the second-best quarterback in the ACC behind Drake Maye."

McElroy seemed to think that Travis is going to surpass his career-high season in 2022 and that it would be hard to imagine a regression from last year's production.

"With how he progressed last year, it's hard to envision him having a season that would even regress whatsoever," McElroy said. "I think he's only going to get better. There is nothing that this young man can't do on the football field, and I am really a believer in his Heisman candidacy,"

Travis' improvement and a warehouse full of veterans and instant impact transfers, McElroy feels confident that the veteran signal caller's future is bright. 

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