What to Watch For: FSU vs. Clemson

Aug 30, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Bobby Hart (51), guard Tre’ Jackson (54), center Austin Barron (62), guard Josue Matias (70) and offensive tackle Cameron Erving (75) during a time out against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

4.) Seniors in the Trenches

FSU starts five seniors on its offensive line, while Clemson has six seniors in its defensive line rotation. Normally if you wanted to see this much senior on senior action you would have to attend a singles mixer at The Villages in Central Florida. All jokes aside though, this is where the game is likely to be won or lost for Florida State.

Clemson was already planning to come after FSU’s quarterback. Jameis Winston tweeted a photo of Clemson’s stadium last Spring (while on a baseball road trip) along with the caption, “our house.” That has been used as bulletin board material this week by the Tigers. But that was before Winston got suspended and it was announced Sean Maguire would be making his first career start.

Now those ears are really pinned back.

For the seniors on Florida State’s offensive line, this will be one of the most difficult challenges until Florida comes calling at the end of November. FSU will likely look to establish the run early. The Seminoles didn’t rely heavily on the run at Death Valley last year, but it was there when they needed it. This year FSU is going to have to lean on it a little bit more– at least as Maguire settles in.

When FSU does pass, keeping Maguire upright — and by extension, composed — is the order of the day. If Clemson can start laying licks on Maguire early it’s going to chip away at his confidence, suddenly the reads and his progressions will be rushed and that’s how mistakes happen.

This isn’t anything FSU can’t handle. Everyone has talked up Vic Beasley at defensive end as an unstoppable force, but Cam Erving is happy to play the immovable object in this equation and — if last year was any indication — Beasley doesn’t move Erving much. Look for Clemson to try to move Beasley around and get him matched up with other blockers if he’s unable to get by Erving.

Either way, this game is going to be won or lost in the trenches.