Clemson is searching for something to build on as it prepares for a primetime matchup with rival Florida State in Week 11 at Memorial Stadium. What began as a promising year has turned into one filled with frustration, and the Tigers are eager to give their fans a reason to celebrate before the season’s end. Sitting at 3-5 overall and 2-4 in ACC play, this game offers a chance for Clemson to reset and prove it can still rise to the moment under the lights in Death Valley.
The rivalry with Florida State always carries weight, and recent history has favored the Tigers. Clemson has taken eight of the last nine meetings against the Seminoles, including several that shaped the ACC race over the past decade. Extending that streak on Saturday would not only boost team morale but also serve as a reminder that Clemson still holds the upper hand in one of the conference’s most storied rivalries.
For Florida State, sitting at 4-4 overall and 1-4 in conference play, this trip to Clemson is just as important. The Seminoles are trying to steady their own season after a rocky stretch, and a win on the road would go a long way toward salvaging momentum. Meanwhile, Clemson hopes to end its home drought against Power Four opponents, having not won such a matchup at Memorial Stadium since October 2024.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from Clemson, with national coverage on the ACC Network. Wes Durham and Steve Addazio will be in the booth, while Dana Boyle handles sideline reporting. Fans can also tune in through streaming options on ESPN+ or Fubo, which is offering a free trial for the game.
Here’s what we’re thinking ahead of the rivalry matchup.
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Similar to last week, I think Clemson is going to drop a close one here to Florida State. Both teams are desperate for a big win, but watching both programs this year I have more faith in the Seminoles to step up and get it done when it matters the most.
Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense shouldn’t have issues scoring, but Tom Allen’s defense has also proven to be incapable of stopping a nose bleed. The Tigers likely lose another home game here and the uncertainty around the program will continue.
Holley: Clemson 27, Florida State 30
Cade Klubnik and others on offense played well in last week’s loss to Duke, but after the defense let the game slip away by allowing a 94-yard drive in the final minutes, Clemson is making it hard for me to believe they’ll win either of its final two conference matchups — and perhaps not any of its final four games, aside from Week 13’s game against Furman from the FCS. This prediction is less about having any real belief in Florida State and Mike Norvell, and more a lack of belief in the Tigers as they begin to wind down the most disappointing season in Dabo Swinney’s otherwise illustrious coaching career.
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