Clemson @ Florida State preview

Clemson at Florida State

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2015 ) Florida State 13, Clemson 23

For seven straight years, the winner of the annual showdown between Clemson and Florida State has gone on to win the ACC Atlantic Division. The third-ranked Tigers can take a big step toward continuing that trend with a victory Saturday over the No. 14 Seminoles, who need to pull off the upset at home to preserve any hope of reaching the ACC title game.

Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson rolled up 404 yards of total offense against the Seminoles last year, but it was Clemson’s defense that stole the show in a 23-13 home win. Watson is one of the nation’s top offensive players, as is Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, who racked up 194 rushing yards against the Tigers a year ago. “I’ve seen this rivalry evolve since before I got here,” Cook told reporters. “The talent level in this game is one of the best in the country. That’s what’s made this game the level it’s played at right now.” Clemson has won six of its last seven games against ranked opponents, improving coach Dabo Swinney to 16-17 all-time against top-25 foes.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Clemson -4.5.

ABOUT CLEMSON (7-0, 4-0 ACC): Watson gives the Tigers a flashy star on offense — and Clemson ranks 18th nationally with 304.9 passing yards per game — but a dominant defense has carried the Tigers at times. Clemson ranks in the top 10 in the nation in total defense, scoring defense and passing defense, and the Tigers average a whopping nine tackles for loss per game. If there is a weakness its the run defense, which will have its hands full trying to slow down Cook.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (5-2, 2-2): Cook ranks ninth in the nation in rushing yards (900), but the Seminoles have displayed decent balance with Deondre Francois under center. The redshirt freshman quarterback threw two touchdowns in a road win at Miami and passed for 319 yards and a score in last week’s win over Wake Forest. The Seminoles’ downfall against quality opponents has been their defense, allowing 530 total yards or more in losses to Louisville and North Carolina.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The home team has won 12 of the past 14 games in the series, and Clemson has not won at Florida State since 2006.

2. Clemson has recorded at least one sack in 37 consecutive games dating to 2013.

3. Cook needs 100 yards to become the seventh player in ACC history with three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons and the first since Wake Forest’s Chris Barclay from 2003-05.

PREDICTION: Clemson 30, Florida State 23