Great Matchups vs. FSU

Sep 20, 2023, 6:50 PM

I propose the possibility of a big surprise win this Saturday.

FSU is a powerful but lumbering and team that hasn't had its weaknesses and errors punished this season. They have injuries in critical positions (notably their left tackle), and their remaining strengths as well as their weaknesses play into Clemson's roster.

1) FSU's LT Robert Scott Jr. is on the injured list. FSU is being coy about whether he will return Saturday. When Scott Jr. plays he is an absolute game changer and disrupts defensive coordination (rewatch the first quarter of FSU vs LSU). If he continues to sit out, FSU's offensive line will lack a tremendous resource in pocket protection. Their center, Maurice Smith, a brick wall and definitely the best in his position on either team, may also be sitting out. This connects to the second observation.

2) Jordan Travis has shown panic when rushed (almost as much as Cade): he's thrown strange lobs into the middle of the opposing team, and several incompletes vs. LSU and BC should have been interceptions if those teams were quicker on recognition. In the QB match up, Cade is probably just as if not more error prone than Travis, but Cade has better distance and accuracy on the pass, and better speed, though Travis picks better spots to rush and has slightly better vision. Travis should be put in the most difficult situations he's been in since edging out Oklahoma in the Pop Tart Bowl, and, before the Pop-Tart Bowl, since losing to Clemson last season.

3) Many of FSU's easiest yards have been due to their giant 6'7" wr Johnny Wilson finding himself wide open midfield or Wilson's ability to casually outreach his opponents on the perimeter. Wilson hasn't had to catch against a defense like Clemson's this season. Wilson hasn't faced a CB like Nate Wiggins since last season, nor has he faced a defense that can pressure him as tight mid field as Clemson can (and he didn't gain many yards after the catch in the 2022 encounter). Clemson won't lose the free yards that LSU did on the pass.

4) Our double threat RBs in Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, who have been smartly deployed as a duo, will find gaps in the sleepy FSU defensive line. FSU fans have themselves been deploring their inability to hold a consistent defense. Shipley's superior vision and game sense will especially help him maximize any openings.

There are of course issues. Jared Verse is a threat who will out-class Tristan Leigh if Leigh is put in the unfortunate position of covering him (hopefully unsung O-line heroes like Mitchell Mayes pick up the slack). Clemson's special teams remains a giant question mark. And of course FSU has some of the best receivers in college football, beyond Johnny Wilson. However lame this may sound, my prediction relies on Robert Scott sitting out. Given that, our current Clemson team has all the tools to dampen FSU's strengths and show our own. Here's to hoping!

FSU 24 - Clemson 42
Go Tigers

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Ship, superior vision?? He often runs into the tackle.***

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Impressive assessments and credible predictions.

Their OL: BC’s DL looked pretty good against FSU. BC also is well coached as far as their successful run blitzes vs FSU, which required BC’s DL to be good at occupying FSU’s OL. BC’s pass blitzes were also effective at moving Travis; Travis was banged up by the time that I tuned in for the 2nd half of the game, so maybe Travis’ mobility and courage were not up to his usual standard.

Their DL: Both DEs are stellar. Easily better than our top 3 DEs. Their DTs were stout but didn’t appear to move well; when BC got a OLineman to hit right off the bat with a good block, the FSU DTs could not shed the block. BC whipped FSU much of the time with between the tackle run plays. When BC attempted wide runs in which the off-side Tackle pulled, FSU’s superior DEs ran the play down from the backside. I hope against FSU that we scrap the run plays in which our Tackles pull.

FSU WRs: Coleman is terrific talent, but allegedly pouted after being targeted only 3 times against BC. Stereotype portal / NIL attitude. As for Johnny Wilson, he’s not fast, but runs his routes hard and competes for the ball; if the pass is thrown high enough, then the only question is whether he catches it. Which brings us to the worst aspect of Johnny Wilson’s game; his hands aren’t great. Watched him drop 3 easy catches against LSU; didn’t recall him dropping any vs BC, though.

TEs: FSU is much better than us here. They catch the ball and block; poor blocking at TE has been obvious for us over the past 3 games.

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Great Matchups vs. FSU

Ship, superior vision?? He often runs into the tackle.***

Took the words right out of my mouth.***

Re: Took the words right out of my mouth.***

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

FSU's defensive ends have zero sacks in 105 pass attempts

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

Re: Great Matchups vs. FSU

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