Clemson Football faces their biggest challenge so far in the 2023 season when they face the Florida State Seminoles this weekend in Death Valley. FSU might turn out to be the best team they face at all this year.
Several keys to victory can be discussed. Obviously, Clemson needs to be efficient and protect the football. Turnovers have cost the Tigers dearly this season.
In situations where talented teams are squaring off where one side doesn’t have a clear talent advantage over the other, the winning team will need their best players to live up to their billing.
Several Tigers were named to preseason watchlists for various awards this summer, but two names stood out above all others: Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter.
Carter was named to the Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik, and Butkus Award watchlists. Trotter was named to those watchlists as well as the Walter Camp Player of the Year watchlist. They were both named to the preseason All-ACC team by members of the press who attended the ACC Kickoff.
Both Carter and Trotter have performed well so far in 2023. Trotter currently leads the team with seventeen tackles and has one forced fumble. Carter is in second with fifteen tackles.
They are both doing exactly what was expected of them, but if teams want to accomplish great things, they need their superstars to be great in the biggest moments.
Clemson Football will need Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter to deliver big performances Saturday
Clemson fans shouldn’t let a flat performance by Florida State’s offense at Boston College distract them. The Seminole offense we will see this weekend in Death Valley will be much more like what we saw in the second half of FSU’s victory over LSU.
Quarterback Jordan Travis has two quality receivers and is also dangerous with his feet. Both star linebackers will have the task of containing Travis while lending help to both rush and pass defense.
Clemson has the pieces to be successful against Florida State, but the Tigers will need Trotter and Carter to bring the biggest performance of their careers this Saturday.