This isn't your father's Clemson-Florida State showdown.
There's no ACC Atlantic title on the line. There are no College Football Playoff rankings to debate. The days of this game deciding the conference champion feel like a distant memory.
Instead, when Clemson (3-5, 2-4 ACC) and Florida State (4-4, 1-4 ACC) clash under the lights, it’s not about glory—it's about survival.
This is a desperation game. The Tigers are reeling, having just suffered a soul-crushing 45-46 loss to Duke and are facing the terrifying reality of needing to win three of their last four just to become bowl-eligible. The Seminoles are just as hungry, sitting at 1-4 in the conference and needing a signature win to salvage their own season.
And yet, in a sign of just how wild this 2025 season has been, despite their 3-5 record and having lost four straight at home, the Tigers are a 2.5-point favorite over Florida State (FanDuel). For the first time in what feels like an eternity, this rivalry is not about glory. It's about grit, pride, and avoiding the unthinkable. This is Clemson's final home conference game of the season, and it’s a must-win in every sense of the word.
Here is everything you need to know for this ACC prime-time collision.
How to Watch: Clemson vs. Florida State
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
- Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ACC Network
- Announcers: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Steve Addazio (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
- Streaming: ESPN App
How to Listen
- Clemson Radio: Clemson Athletic Network (Don Munson, Tim Bourret, Reggie Merriweather)
- National Radio: Westwood One Sports (Nate Gatter, Derek Rackley)
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 117 or 193
Top Storylines to Watch
1. The Battle for Bowl Eligibility
This is the season for both of these proud programs. At 3-5, Clemson has zero room for error. A loss on Saturday would mean the Tigers would have to win out—including a road trip to Louisville and the rivalry game at South Carolina—just to get to six wins and extend their 20-year bowl streak. For a team that started the season ranked No. 4, missing a bowl game would be a catastrophic failure. The Seminoles aren't in much better shape at 4-4. The loser of this game will be in a full-blown panic, while the winner gains critical breathing room.
2. An Eerie Anniversary and a Tied-Up Series
History is hanging heavy over this matchup. The game will be played on the 22nd anniversary of one of the most significant upsets in this rivalry's history: Clemson's 26-10 stunner over No. 3 Florida State on November 8, 2003. Dabo Swinney, then a first-year wide receivers coach, has publicly credited that win with saving Tommy Bowden's job, and by extension, his own.
Adding to the drama, the all-time series in Death Valley is perfectly split. The teams are 9-9 in Memorial Stadium. FSU won its last trip to Clemson in 2023, but the Seminoles haven't won back-to-back games in Death Valley since their dominant run from 1975-2001.
3. Honoring Legends While an Iron Man Makes History
While the team struggles, an incredible individual record will be broken. Senior offensive lineman Blake Miller is set to start his 50th consecutive game, breaking the school record for a non-specialist. Miller has started all 49 games played by Clemson since he stepped on campus as a true freshman in 2022.
It’s also Hall of Fame Day at Clemson. The Tigers will induct 10 new members, including three football legends: star wide receiver DeAndre "Nuk" Hopkins, the late, great defensive tackle Chester McGlockton, and long-time sports information director Tim Bourret. With legends in the building, the pressure is on the current Tigers to deliver a performance worthy of the Clemson standard they helped build.