What to Watch For: FSU vs. Clemson

Nov 30, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) gets ready as offensive linesman Bryan Stork (52) hikes the ball and lines up with quarterback Sean Maguire (10), quarterback John Franklin III (11) works out prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Sean Maguire/Jameis Winston

The fact that Jameis Winston is set to miss the first half creates loads of potential scenarios for Florida State. Everything from Sean Maguire playing so well that it creates a quarterback controversy to Jameis Winston playing the role of hero and leading a second half comeback have been discussed. Realistically, neither of those two are all that likely.

Maguire is a talented passer with a good arm, who — and this is his biggest endorsement — was recruited by Jimbo Fisher to play quarterback (and not just hold a clipboard) at Florida State. Fisher doesn’t have a track record of recruiting busts. Sure, they might turn into busts once they reach the pros (see: Jamarcus Russell, Christian Ponder), but Fisher’s eye for talent when it comes to college QBs is not to be doubted. Of the four guys who competed for FSU’s starting job two Springs ago, one has already won a Heisman, one is a starter at West Virginia, another seems to be just a few bad snaps from starting at Alabama and then there’s Maguire who appears to be next in line, after Winston, at Florida State.

Fisher is cognizant of this and, as a result, he’s not going to hang the kid out to dry. If anything, he needs Maguire’s reputation to be mostly in tact by the time he takes over the program in a year or two (depending on whether you buy the line that Winston stays past this season). That means FSU will play it smart, try to establish the run and make sure Maguire finds himself in manageable situations on third down.

The X-factor is actually Winston.

We have seen Winston come into big games over-hyped and then make mistakes. Last year’s Miami game comes to mind, when Winston threw two early picks before settling down in the second half. The problem is– for Winston there is no second half.

You can be sure that the reigning Heisman winner will be hyped to get on to the field and to make an impact. But that could play right into Clemson’s hands if he’s not content to take what the defense gives him and starts trying to force the issue. Last year Winston had Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin to go after some of those questionable passes into coverage. This year, those are going to get picked off and second half turnovers are usually fatal.

Winston’s emotion level and demeanor will be what to watch for on Saturday.