Clemson/Florida State is one of the marquee rivalries in college football right now, pitting two programs at the height of their on-field and recruiting powers jockeying for ACC supremacy. This year's edition in South Carolina is shaping up to be a College Football Playoff statement game, and we've got a VERY good feeling about who's going to come out on top of this one. Here's 4 Reasons Why Clemson Is Guaranteed To Beat Florida State This Year.
4) The Back Seven
Clemson has lost most of its defensive line two-deep heading into the 2015 season. However, it's the linebacking corps and secondary which will make all the difference in this game for a Tigers team that finished first in the nation in overall defense (260.8 ypg) and 3rd in the nation in scoring defense (16.7) in 2014. Clemson will have to figure out a way to set the rush, but they'll have plenty of time to do so before clashing with Florida State on November 7th.
3) Death Valley
81,500 screaming fans. The added energy of Florida State week and a prime-time game at Memorial Stadium. Other fan bases may get more publicity from a national perspective (usually due to running their mouths on social media), but FSU is going to have to execute their offense while dealing with an earthquake of noise that even the Seattle Seahawks' 12th Man can't match. Get your tickets early. It'll be the best party of the year.
2) Everett Golson
Golson finished his 2014 season with 22 turnovers in his final season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. A change of scenery isn't going to cure Golson of his poor decision making, nor is it going to stop Clemson's defense from forcing his hand with repeated stunts and blitzes. This has one of Golson's signature four-turnover meltdowns written all over it.
1) Deshaun Watson
Watson missed nearly five full games in 2015 with a broken finger and a torn ACL, but the ACL surgery was way back in December and he's plenty healthy to get things rolling for a Clemson team that has assumed Florida State's former throne as the current favorites in the ACC. Watson is THE Heisman candidate no one is talking about -- a dual-threat monster who can outrun you, outgun you and outthink you, sometimes in the same play. Watson versus Golson in the biggest in-conference showdown of 2015? You know who we're picking...
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