Clemson vs Florida State Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 9
Florida State scores in bunches behind an 8.8 yards per attempt passing game, and Clemson barely throws for touchdowns at all. Clemson's defense, with 20 sacks and only 21.3 points allowed per game, is the reason this stays interesting in Tallahassee.
The Matchup
Clemson wins this matchup on defense or Clemson does not win it at all. Clemson allows 21.3 points per game, and Florida State allows 27.9 points per game. Clemson has 20 sacks this season, and that pressure faces Ashton Daniels, who has thrown 8 interceptions against 12 touchdowns this season.
Daniels was brilliant in Florida State's most recent game, going 15 of 28 for 298 yards and 4 touchdowns, and Duce Robinson caught 5 passes for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game, including a 75-yard score. That explosiveness is Florida State's whole case. Florida State averages 8.8 yards per attempt and 31.6 points per game. Tait Reynolds gives Clemson a different kind of offense.
Reynolds went 20 of 26 for 153 yards in Clemson's most recent game and also carried 18 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. Clemson has only 2 passing touchdowns all season and averages 5.8 yards per attempt, so Clemson has to run, control the clock with 150.6 rushing yards per game, and let the defense keep Daniels from turning this into a track meet.
Key Factors
Rest favors Florida State clearly, with 13 days since its last game against 6 days for Clemson, and a fresh Daniels and Robinson pairing is dangerous. Robinson has 407 yards and 4 touchdowns this season, and Florida State's 180.1 rushing yards per game mean Clemson cannot sell out against the pass.
Tyler Brown showed Clemson a reliable short target in the most recent game, catching 8 passes for 62 yards, which fits how Clemson has to play - short throws, Reynolds runs, and long drives that keep Florida State's offense watching. Clemson has 11 takeaways this season, and Daniels has given the ball away enough to matter, with 8 interceptions thrown by Florida State quarterbacks.
What beats Clemson here is Florida State hitting early deep shots. If Daniels finds Robinson behind the defense the way Daniels did on the 75-yard touchdown last time out, Clemson falls behind and Reynolds has to throw at 5.8 yards per attempt to chase, which is the game Clemson loses by two scores. Clemson needs sacks and a slow start from Florida State.
Editorial pick: Clemson +6. Clemson allows 21.3 points per game, has 20 sacks to aim at a quarterback with 8 interceptions, and can run enough to keep Florida State's explosive passing off the field. Florida State's rest edge and the Daniels to Robinson connection can break it open if the deep ball lands early. Take Clemson +6 at -110.
Game information
| DATE | Saturday (10/31) |
|---|---|
| START TIME | 7:00 PM ET |
| HOW TO WATCH | ACC Network |
| VENUE | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee |
| SPREAD | Florida State -6 |
| TOTAL | 49.5 |
| MONEYLINE | Florida State -218 |
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