Clemson Football: Oppo Research – Florida State Seminoles

Clemson Football cranks up the intensity on their 2023 season in Week 4 when they host the Florida State Seminoles. The Seminoles will visit Death Valley on September 23rd. Time and television network has not been announced, but given the profile of the game, it wouldn’t be surprising if it is featured in primetime.

Florida State leads the all-time series 20-15 over the Tigers. Clemson currently holds a seven-game win streak against the Seminoles, most recently defeating them 34-28 in Tallahassee last season. Florida State is designated as an annual opponent for the Tigers in conference, so they will continue to play every season despite the elimination of divisions.

Head coach Mike Norvell is entering his fourth season in charge of the program. He has rebuilt the FSU roster by relying heavily on the portal, and so far, so good. The Seminoles reached ten wins last season for the first time since 2016. They opened the season with a big win over the LSU Tigers, and finished with a bowl victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Seminoles are a popular choice to win the ACC this season, and much of that popularity is due to quarterback Jordan Travis, who had a career season in 2022. He had 3,214 passing yards and 24 touchdowns against only five interceptions.

He isn’t returning alone. Travis’s favorite target is 6′-7″ Johnny Wilson, who brought in 43 catches last year. Receiver and kick returner Mycah Pittman has transferred out to Utah. The Noles add transfer tight end Jaheim Bell from South Carolina.

The defense returns end Jared Verse and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Payton, but Florida State hit the portal hard in an effort to beef up that side of the ball. Cornerback Fentrell Cyprus from Virginia joins the backfield while Darrell Jackson from Miami and Braden Fiske from Western Michigan join the crew up front.

Florida State will have to play Clemson Football in Death Valley and possibly play them a second time in Charlotte

On paper, the Seminoles look ready to make a move in the ACC, and possibly contend for a berth in the College Football Playoff. The biggest disadvantage for FSU this season is that they have to play Clemson in Death Valley, where the Tigers traditionally hold a considerable advantage. This game will be one of the biggest games of September and the winner will have the best road to qualify for the ACC Championship game.

Clemson isn’t the only threat to Florida State this season. The Seminoles have a sneaky tough game against the Panthers in Pittsburgh later in the season.

I think Florida State is one of the two most talented teams in the ACC this season and stands a good chance of grabbing one of the two spots available in Charlotte. There is a chance that they miss out on that opportunity due to the way the schedule falls for FSU against the schedules of others vying for those spots. The Seminoles have two difficult road games this season. Stumbling in one wouldn’t eliminate them from contention, but stumbling in two might end their chances.

Florida State 2022 Statistics

All stats per teamrankings.com against FBS competition only

• Points per game: 35.2 (18th)
• Yards per game: 471.4 (13th)
• Points allowed per game: 21.8 (23rd)
• Yards allowed per game: 334.9 (22nd)