FSU Football: ESPN Staff Pick Clemson To Win ACC Atlantic
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football needs to win the ACC Atlantic for a shot to win the ACC and compete for a national championship. ESPN staff are picking Clemson because of Deshaun Watson.
We’ve talked time and time again about the difficulty of the FSU football schedule in 2016. Of course FSU can’t afford to overlook anyone on its schedule.
However, the main competition will be Louisville and Clemson because they are the two toughest games and both are ACC divisional foes.
That seems to be the sentiment among ACC staff as they provided their predictions for the ACC Atlantic division.
All of the staff unanimously picked Clemson to finish No. 1, FSU to finish No. 2 and Louisville to finish No. 3 in their predictions.
Their main reason for picking Clemson over FSU football? Heisman favorite Deshaun Watson.
There’s a reason he was the No. 1 player on the Top 15 offensive players FSU will face in 2016.
-“Only one has a potential Heisman winner at quarterback, and that is why I’d give the Tigers a slight edge,” said David Hale.
-“Someone has to win it, and I chose the Tigers for one reason: Deshaun Watson. He is the best player on either team and an elite difference-maker who will give Clemson the edge in every single game it plays this season,” said Andrea Adelson.
-“FSU gets Clemson at home this season, the Tigers have Watson at quarterback — along with a more proven plethora of skill guys — giving them the edge,” said Matt Fortuna.
After watching Watson the last two seasons, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. I think it’s clear that FSU football has more talent across the board.
If anyone would like to argue that point, I’d ask them what their chances would be if Deshaun Watson had to miss the FSU game this year. I’d bet 99 percent of the people you ask would say FSU would beat Clemson under those circumstances while playing in Tallahassee.
Some FSU fans will argue that Dalvin Cook is just as important as Watson. After all, he torched Clemson last year on one leg.
The difference is Watson will touch the ball on every offensive play for Clemson.
He’s the equalizer for a Clemson team that will probably take a step back on defense this year. However, the FSU defense kept Watson in check for the most part last year with two turnovers on offense being costly.
FSU football converting 17 percent of their third downs (2-12) was a big part of the loss as well.
Next: How Would FSU Football Have Done In The SEC?
I would legitimately have to give the edge to Clemson even though the game in Tallahassee, but it’s certainly a game FSU football can win without question if they don’t beat themselves with turnovers.
Is it football season yet?