FSU Predictions from the ChopChat Staff
By David Visser
Check out our staff’s FSU predictions for this Saturday’s game against the Clemson Tigers.
Patrik Nohe, Editor
I was already leaning toward the upset before the Winston suspension. If anything, the suspension gave me pause, because a lot of times teams rally in the face of this sort of adversity. But, I’m going with Clemson to end FSU’s winning streak anyway. The Tigers are talented and have far less to lose right now. Win and the Tigers have the inside track on the ACC, lose and it was just another tough early season test for a talented young team– right now Clemson is playing with house money. FSU, meanwhile, still doesn’t look comfortable playing with a target on its back. After a week filled with distractions — and under the bright national prime time spotlight — FSU could end up playing not to lose. And as Jimbo Fisher says time and time again, when you get too results-oriented, you stop getting the right results.
Pick: 34-28, Clemson
David Visser, Editor
I think this FSU team needed a shake-up. It’d been somewhat spoiled, given the talent gap it has over most every other team. And the ‘Noles also boast the nation’s best player. Not Saturday– at least not to begin. Winston’s absence will see the rest of this squad come together and rally around Sean Maguire and each other. UGA gashed Clemson on the ground, and the ‘Noles will find their rushing rhythm as well. While there is a danger of players trying to do too much, I think adversity serves this FSU squad tomorrow, and that’ll it’ll hold a narrow lead at halftime. Winston then returns with a desire to reprove himself to his teammates, coaches, and fan base– and does just that.
Pick: 40-20, FSU
Daniel Ferreira, Staff Writer
I was leaning toward a 38-21 type game before Jameis was suspended, but now I’m not feeling too confident about that. Sean Maguire could continue the recent trend of FSU QBs lighting up Clemson, but I haven’t seen enough of him to say that he’ll do that. Look for Clemson to come out with a lot of trick, gimmicky playcalling on offense. I think the ‘Noles defense has its best game yet, and that’s why they will pull this one out.
Pick: 31-20, FSU
Harlen Shackleford, Staff Writer
Sean Maguire threw for 2,344 yards tallying up 25 touchdowns through the span of his junior and senior years at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey. With arguably one of the best offensive lines in the country in front of him and weapons across the board, expect Maguire to pick up where he left off and then some Saturday, as the Seminoles welcome division rival Clemson to Doak Campbell. It’s worth noting that Dabo Swinney’s winning 5 out of 10 against FSU comment was brought up again this week in the news and he was careful to add that that’s how he felt about “last year’s team.” With that left open to interpretation, it would seem the ‘Noles may already have this one in the bag.
Pick: 44-20, FSU
Griffin Wilcox, Staff Writer
The loss of Jameis Winston in the first half will be felt, but is not impossible to overcome. Sean Maguire is a talented quarterback and that will be on display in the first half. If Maguire and the Florida State offense can have this ball game tied at half, or at down by no more than 10 points, Winston should handle the Tigers in the second half. The key that every analyst will be touching on is Karlos Williams and the Seminole run game, if this Rick Trickett offensive line can get movement early and often for the ‘Nole backfield, Florida State could be well on their way to a victory in this match-up.
Pick: 41-31, FSU