FINAL FSU Seminoles 24 at Clemson Tigers 40

[RayGator]

Saturday, November 7, 2009

7:45 P.M. from Memorial Stadium in Clemson SC on ESPN

The FSU Seminoles (4-4,2-3 ACC) vs. The Clemson Tigers (5-3,3-2 ACC)

FSU Coach Bobby Bowden (355-121-4) vs. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney (9-6)

Seminole QB #7 JR 6-2 219 Christian Ponder vs. Tiger QB #11 FR 6-0 211 Kyle Parker

Line: Clemson 8 FSU

The 'Noles lead the series 16-6-0

2008 FSU 41 Clemson 27

Weather forecast for Clemson at Kickoff:
Temp 50 and Clear. NW Winds 5-10 mph.

The Gators will play the Seminoles in The Swamp on the last Saturday in November, the 28th.

[The_Graygator]

Clemson wins this.

A night game in the ACC's "Death Valley" and the Tigers with a solid run-game?

[pavelow]

What's the single-game rushing record in the ACC? Wouldn't be surprised if Spiller eclipses it...

[GatorLaw]

I know very little about Clemson. Do they have anything resembling a real defense? Because if their defense isn't any better than the other ACC teams and the game comes down to an offensive shootout, FSU will likely win that battle.

[GatorLaw]

I tried to answer my own question and couldn't find any defensive rankings for Clemson. I did see that they have two DBs that are #1 and tied for #2 in interceptions in the ACC. That sounds good considering that FSU is primarily a passing team.

[The_Graygator]

Hmmm, GT had nothing resembling a defense and beat FSU.

[Zitheral]

Clemson is a solid team on defense. It is offense where they have problems. They are starting a true freshman at QB so, while he is talented and makes a lot of good throws, he is still rough around the edges and makes some bad decisions.

Regardless, Spiller and Forde are beasts on offense. I like Clemson in this one.

[GatorLaw]

Originally Posted by The_Graygator

Hmmm, GT had nothing resembling a defense and beat FSU.

IIRC GT has the #1 ranked offense in the ACC, Clemson's is 7th. With its offense GT was able to win a shootout (though not by much), I don't think Clemson can. And also IIRC, while GT may have nothing resembling a defense they actually played pretty well in the second half. I seem to remember that FSU racked up most of its yardage in the first half.

[Zitheral]

Ponder has bruised ribs... not likely to be much of a running threat.

[BobK89]

Where is NCState's offense ranked in the ACC? They racked up 42 points against the Andrews "bend and then break" defense.

[Jaggator]

CJ Spiller is worth 14 points before the game is even kicked-off.

[The_Graygator]

LAW, I guess my point is that I watched a good part of that Clemmons - Cryami game and I admit that I was impressed with Clemmons' offense against a pretty talented CoCanes defense. Spiller lit them up and seems to be coming on pretty hard here in the second half of the season.

The way to defend FSU's offense is to take away Ponder's sideline routes and screens and make him sit in the pocket and throw downfield. If you have a couple of good corners and a good pass rush like, say, South Florida did, you can limit Ponder dramatically.

I keep watching FSU's offense but I really, really question how much of their success is just facing piss-poor defenses.

[RayGator]

I did read somewhere that FSU still has a shot to play in the ACC Championship Game.

[pnpgator]

Originally Posted by RayGator

I did read somewhere that FSU still has a shot to play in the ACC Championship Game.

This is surprising but true. They are only a game behind BC and Clemson with 3 ACC games to play.

I think they have managed to get a couple of lucky last minute wins this season, otherwise they would really be in the toilet.

[GatorLaw]

Originally Posted by The_Graygator

LAW, I guess my point is that I watched a good part of that Clemmons - Cryami game and I admit that I was impressed with Clemmons' offense against a pretty talented CoCanes defense. Spiller lit them up and seems to be coming on pretty hard here in the second half of the season.

The way to defend FSU's offense is to take away Ponder's sideline routes and screens and make him sit in the pocket and throw downfield. If you have a couple of good corners and a good pass rush like, say, South Florida did, you can limit Ponder dramatically.

I keep watching FSU's offense but I really, really question how much of their success is just facing piss-poor defenses.

You may be right, I didn't watch the Clemson Miami game. It would help if somebody put some pressure on Ponder, I didn't see much of it against UNC and NCS.

[pavelow]

Originally Posted by RayGator

I did read somewhere that FSU still has a shot to play in the ACC Championship Game.

Technically true, but a lot would have to happen with other teams for that to happen. Not to mention FSU has to win its remaining 3 ACC games, which is probably less likely than those aforementioned crazy scenarios occurring.

[The_Graygator]

Originally Posted by GatorLaw

You may be right, I didn't watch the Clemson Miami game. It would help if somebody put some pressure on Ponder, I didn't see much of it against UNC and NCS.

The Tarheels beat themselves IMO. Their DL was all over Ponder in the first half of their game, just absolutely in his face for 30 minutes and held FSu to only 6 points I think.

Then they went conservative on offense and sat on the lead and gave FSU the chances at good field position and then they made a couple of big plays and it was all FSU after that.

UNC's Butch Davis' staff absolutely handed FSU that game on a silver platter.

[RayGator]

Latest line:

Clemson 9 (58) FSU

[BobK89]

^^
IMO, don't take a side; bet the over.

[GatorLaw]

Originally Posted by The_Graygator

The Tarheels beat themselves IMO. Their DL was all over Ponder in the first half of their game, just absolutely in his face for 30 minutes and held FSu to only 6 points I think.

Then they went conservative on offense and sat on the lead and gave FSU the chances at good field position and then they made a couple of big plays and it was all FSU after that.

UNC's Butch Davis' staff absolutely handed FSU that game on a silver platter.

Exactly. Not just by going conservative but with a couple bone-headed decisions. The worst was punting to FSU late in the second half when they had 4th and a few in FSU territory rather than going for it. Since FSU had been scoring a TD every time they got the ball no matter where they started from, that decision was as good as giving them 7 points without even trying.