NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions: Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Seminoles try to finally snap a long losing streak against the Tigers.

One of the most important games of the year for Florida State is right around the corner. The Seminoles will be on the road for the second consecutive week, taking on the Clemson Tigers in a building that they haven't walked out of victorious since 2013. Head coach Mike Norvell nearly led his squad to upsets of the Tigers over the past two seasons, coming up short by a combined 16 points.

With a senior-laden, talented, and experienced roster at his fingertips, Norvell and the Seminoles are looking for more during Jordan Travis' final year with the program. This will be Florida State's best shot in recent seasons with Clemson breaking in a new full-time starting quarterback, Cade Klubnik, and offensive coordinator, Garrett Riley.

READ MORE: Florida State Quarterback To Miss Extended Time Due To Recent Injury

A win against the Tigers would put the Seminoles on a potential path to unseat them as the kings of the ACC. It would also be a huge step forward for a program that is slowly working its way back to the forefront of college football.

Our staff provides their analysis and predictions as the Seminoles prepare for a war against the Tigers.

Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)

It looked like we were going to be able to create a narrative last week of Florida State overcoming adversity in the win against Boston College. Turning a 3-10 deficit into a 31-10 advantage with a 28-0 run, the Seminoles had a chance to do just that. Instead, the Eagles came roaring back and nearly pulled off the upset, sending the team back to Tallahassee with plenty of questions.

There's no doubting the talent across Florida State's roster but the focus seemed to dwindle after going up big. This was a teaching moment for head coach Mike Norvell and his team needs to quickly get the lesson down ahead of the trip to Clemson. The Seminoles can't afford to let up for a single second against the Tigers.

Make no mistake about it, Clemson is going to throw the single best punch that it can muster on Saturday. If Dabo Swinney has any tricks up his sleeve, this is the time that he's going to let it all hang out. After all, the Tigers would essentially be eliminated from ACC Championship contention with their second conference loss prior to the conclusion of September.

That means the Seminoles are going to need to play their best game a week after playing their worst game. A stage like this is all about the stars on both sides. I'm looking to Jordan Travis and the passing game (Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman, Jaheim Bell) to come to life like we saw in the season opener. I think the defense will fair better against a quarterback that can't kill them on the ground.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 37, Tigers 24

Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)

We’ve made it and didn’t have to wait that long since this one is being held early in the season in late September. Three keys to this one. Trey Benson has to get back to being 2022 Trey Benson. Jared Verse and FSU’s pass rush have to make an early impact and not wait until the second half. And number three, stay disciplined and take the easy opportunities when they’re there, and don’t try to be a hero. 

I think FSU will accomplish at least two of those, leading them to a win. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 31, Tigers 28

Austin Veazey (@EasyVeazeyNG)

Florida State hopefully got all the bad juju out last week at Boston College, and now travel to Clemson looking to exorcise some demons from the last decade. 

I’m watching most when FSU is on defense, they’ve allowed a lot of explosive plays so far and are now playing a team that hasn’t produced many so far, so which side is going to give? I’ve had a weird feeling all week that FSU runs away with this one.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 37, Tigers 20

Dillon Riera (@13d_riera)

In the wise words of Michael Scott, CEO of the Michael Scott Paper Company, "Well, well, well, how the turn tables." Last year, the Tigers boasted one of the best defensive lines in the nation, an offense that was beginning to find its groove, and the motivation to push for a berth in the College Football Playoff. One full season later, the roles have reversed entirely.

Now, the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles take the fight to Clemson in Death Valley in the midst of a three-game winning streak.

Clemson may not be the clear-cut playoff contender they have been in years past, but don't think for a second that they aren't a good team. As a unit, Clemson's defense is allowing a meager 98 rushing yards per game with linebackers Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter combining for a total of 32 tackles to lead the way. The defensive line remains as strong as ever, and with the status of multiple key starters on the offensive line for Florida State in question, that matchup could prove to be a slightly unfavorable one for the Seminoles. 

Florida State stands its best chance when the offense is finding ways to diversify its production both through the air and on the ground. Offensive Coordinator Alex Atkins will have to find a way to spark the rushing game early for the 'Noles, whether that be via Trey Benson, Lawrence Toafili, Rodney Hill, or Jaheim Bell. As for the passing game, Jordan Travis has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, which has allowed the Seminoles to surpass 276.3 passing yards per game. Both Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson will have to play with consistency, making the plays they're expected to do over the course of the entire game.

If you could characterize anything in the Clemson program as its "weakness," then it'd have to be their offense. The Clemson offense has struggled to find consistency, and the narrative, as of late, has pushed the blame on the Tiger wide receivers. To make matters worse, the group will be without sophomore Cole Turner, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a hip injury. Meanwhile, Jared Verse, Patrick Payton, Braden Fiske, Fabien Lovett, Joshua Farmer, and Dennis Briggs possess the ability to wreak havoc on the quarterback all night, and the 'Noles will need their defensive line to prevent quarterback Cade Klubnik from finding significant time in the pocket and keeping running back Will Shipley in check if they wish to stall the Tiger offense. Similarly, the linebacker corps for the 'Noles will be called upon to prevent the quarterback from finding success on the run, something they struggled to do with Castellanos last week.

I've struggled with making a definitive prediction for this game. If you asked me after Week 1, I'd tell you the 'Noles were going to handle Clemson with ease. But, if you asked me immediately after the Week 3 game against Boston College, I'd tell you the Tigers could very well play upset. ESPN's FPI gives Florida State a slight edge with a 57.2% chance to win and the most recent Vegas odds sit at (-2.0) in favor of the 'Noles. Very slim margins for a game that many expected to be a lopsided one after Week 1. 

After some thought, I think Mike Norvell will have the Seminoles fired up and ready following the wake-up call against Boston College. This Florida State team remains determined, and I think they'll bring that "edge" Coach Norvell spoke of against an opponent that has dominated the matchup for years on end. This will be a back-and-forth contest for a large majority of the night, but the Seminoles will pull away in the waning moments of the game.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 35, Tigers 21

Tommy Mire (@TommyM3III)

The second major test of the 2023 season will be in Death Valley and both teams have something to prove. No. 4 FSU is coming off a lackluster performance against Boston College and Clemson has been on a decline starting 2-1 on the year. 

The biggest hurdle will be keeping the offense on the field and quarterback Jordan Travis upright. I think FSU can win this one if they don't shoot themselves in the foot and keep it on the gas. 

Will Shipley is a game-changer so keeping him at bay is a must and the 'Noles will have to bring out their best performance on both sides of the ball.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 31, Tigers 21

Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)

This one will be a tight one. The Seminoles are traveling to a tough environment in Death Valley. However, the close call against Boston College should leave Florida State playing some of its best football to snap the seven-game losing streak to Clemson.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 31, Tigers 28

Robert Malcom (@kwrobertm)

After last week's narrow win against Boston College, I think the Seminoles will use it as a wake-up call and motivation to beat Clemson for the first time since 2015.

While Clemson had two large victories over the past two weeks, their Week 2 game against Charleston Southern was fairly close going into halftime. Additionally, Clemson has struggled with turnovers throughout the season with six over three games compared to Florida State's three.

What may give the Tigers a slight edge is home-field advantage, as any college football fan knows a sold-out Memorial Stadium is one of the loudest environments in the nation. With that being said, the noon kickoff time might help the 'Noles in this case.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Seminoles 38, Tigers 28

CONSENSUS: Florida State (7-0)

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READ MORE: Florida State's Victory Against Boston College Was One Of Most Watched Games In Week 3

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