Florida State and Clemson have won 13 of the last 14 ACC championships and are the only ACC teams to win a national title in the last 15 years.

So, of course, this Saturday, FSU and Clemson, with a combined conference record of 3-8, will take the field and be broadcast on the ACC Network, with zero postseason implications.

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Just like everyone predicted at the start of the year, right?

While the result of the game will not affect the ACC championship or College Football Playoff race, there is plenty on the line for two schools in the midst of a fall from grace. From the Florida State perspective, a win over Clemson would put the Seminoles one win away from bowl eligibility, one of the main goals for Mike Norvell’s program at the start of the season. Additionally, the fire alarms would be turned down in Tallahassee while the temperature on Dabo Swinney would be turned all the way up after a fourth-straight home loss.

The results on the field have not been what either side intended at the start of the year, but something about this rivalry game usually brings out the best in both sides. Below are three keys for FSU if they want to pull the upset win on the road against the Tigers.

No. 1: Slow down Clemson’s passing attack

Since laying an egg offensively against Georgia Tech in week three, the Tiger offense has come alive and is not at all to blame for the recent losing streak. Even though Cade Klubnik missed a game due to an ankle injury, Clemson ranks 11th in the country in passing yards per game with 296.9. Klubnik has also shaken off the early-season struggles and went for 385 passing yards on 27-36 against Duke last week, his fourth consecutive game with over 250 passing yards. The former 5-star QB’s life is made easier with the supporting cast around him, specifically his top two wide receivers and offensive line. Senior Antonio Williams went for 10-142-1 versus the Blue Devils last week and has recorded five receptions or more in his five games played this season. Williams’ running mate, true sophomore WR T.J. Moore, continues to live up to his billing coming out of high school. Moore takes the top off opposing defenses with an average of 17.8 yards per catch and has three touchdowns over his last two games. Along with talented receivers, the Clemson offensive line ranks 38th in the country in sacks per game allowed at 1.5.

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Tony White will need to be on point with his game plan to keep Florida State from getting into a shootout. The Florida State defense (at best) has been inconsistent in their pass rush and cover skills throughout 2025. It may be best for FSU to allow the long drives and try to keep the cover on Clemson and avoid giving up explosive plays.

No. 2: Duce needs to get loose

If Clemson’s passing offense is one of the best in the country, recently, its defense has been one of the worst. Even with a projected high draft pick in Avieon Terrell on the outside, the Tigers allow 245 passing yards per game, sitting 95th in the country. As it turns out, a lot of those passing yards come from the opponent’s best receiver as defensive coordinator Tom Allen struggles to scheme the team’s top options out of the game. For Syracuse, their leading receiver Johntay Cook went for 6-113 and a long reception of 58 yards. Against SMU, Jordan Hudson (not that one) went for 7-131-1 with a long reception of 70 yards. Last week, Duke wideout Cooper Barkate went for 6-127-1 with a long reception of 70 yards. All of these players are similar to what Duce Robinson means to the Seminoles, and Robinson may be more explosive than all of them. The USC transfer ranks sixth in college football in yards per reception at 20.3, and FSU ranks 5th as a team in yards per completion at 15.5. SB Nation’s Clemson site, Shakin’ in the Southland, noted the Tigers allowed five scores on explosive plays in the loss against Duke last week. Robinson needs to be the game-breaking player for Mike Norvell’s team, as he has proven to be in the last couple of weeks, if Florida State wants to keep up in this track meet. After practice on Wednesday, Norvell spoke to the local Tallahassee media on the potential for Robinson to make an impact against Clemson:

“When you’re on the road, your best playmakers have to show up and they have to play well. There’s a great responsibility that comes with that…Those playmakers absolutely have to rise to the level of the opportunity, and that’s what we’re seeing from (Duce).”

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No. 3: Start fast

For the third week in a row, starting fast makes the list for Florida State because it continues to struggle with starting on time. Once again, the Noles were shut out in the first quarter, just as they were against Stanford and Virginia. If Florida State can find its footing early on, it should be able to control a strange Clemson crowd. A night game in Death Valley will always be a loud atmosphere, but if FSU goes up on the Tigers early, that place could turn against their team quickly. Additionally, the Tigers struggle in the first quarter, ranking 89th in the country in opposing first-quarter points, allowing 6.8 points in the opening 15 minutes. Last week, CU’s slow start was the main culprit for their loss against Duke, as they gave up 21 points in the first quarter against the Blue Devils, which became a hole they could not dig themselves out of. A strong start for the Seminoles would help FSU continue to play with energy and joy while sucking the life out of their opponents.