Clemson Football: Are Seminoles biggest threat to Tigers?

Last week I ran through the 2023 Clemson football schedule with quick thoughts on whether the Tigers would win or lose each game.

No scores were given, come on, it’s February after all, I just designated each as a “W” or an “L”.

Fun stuff, but Clemson fans disagreed with my assessment of the biggest challenge to the Tigers, which I saw as a road game at North Carolina State and they see as Florida State and it’s not particularly close.

I get it.  I really do.  I even pointed out that I think FSU has a chance to beat Clemson when the series returns to Tallahassee in 2024, but the 2023 game is in Clemson.

Meanwhile, the Tigers trip to Raleigh comes after a trip to Miami and at the end of 6 games in a little more than a month, with no off weeks.

Also, the Wolfpack is off the week before they host the Tigers, which sitting here in February looks like a huge advantage for North Carolina State.

Finally, the Clemson game will be FSUs second consecutive road game, having traveled to Chestnut Hill the week prior.

It was 90% a situational call, instead of talent driven.

The results encouraged me to take a second look at Florida State and it makes complete sense.  One ESPN metric even ranks the Seminoles ahead of Clemson, at least at this point of the offseason.

Clemson football has to travel to a rested North Carolina State team in 2023

I do think the Seminoles are the more talented opponent, but game location still leads me to North Carolina State, despite one team having a burgeoning star at quarterback and the other not so much.

The Wolfpack’s style of play has been known to give Clemson fits, especially if lap tops are not allowed on the Tigers sidelines.

While 252 folks voted in the poll, I’d like to shoutout the handful that didn’t answer the question directly, but replied “None”, or something similar.

You didn’t answer the question, but you did make me smile.