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FSU Football: Should Clemson be 17 point favorite over ‘Noles?

By Kelvin Hunt

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 07: Dalvin Cook #4 of the Florida State Seminoles runs for a touchdown as T.J. Green #15 of the Clemson Tigers tries to stop him during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 07: Dalvin Cook #4 of the Florida State Seminoles runs for a touchdown as T.J. Green #15 of the Clemson Tigers tries to stop him during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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FSU football is a huge betting underdog against the Clemson Tigers Saturday afternoon.

FSU football was expected to be one of the elite teams in college football during the 2017 season. Their opener with Alabama was billed as the greatest of all time, and it lived up to the hype for two quarters.

However, three turnovers later and a season ending injury to starting quarterback Deondre Francois put the ‘Noles in a perilous position. Then, Hurricane Irma caused the ‘Noles to miss the next three weeks of games.

FSU lost games against NC State, Miami and Louisville that they all should have or could have won without question. However, now FSU football stands at (3-5) on the season and travels to South Carolina Saturday to take on the No. 4 ranked Clemson Tigers (7-1).

Clemson’s lone loss came against Syracuse who FSU just beat last week. Should Clemson be 17 point betting favorites against FSU?

Thoughts

Aside, from the starting quarterback, FSU football is the same team that was less than a touchdown underdog on a neutral field against Alabama.

Granted, Clemson will be at home and at one of the toughest stadiums to play at Death Valley. If Deondre Francois were the starting quarterback would FSU be this big of an underdog?

Probably not.

FSU was only a three-point underdog at home last season with a less experienced defense going up against a Clemson offense led by Deshaun Watson.

The ‘Noles should have won that game and lost 34-31.

The biggest factor this year is FSU’s propensity to turn the ball over compared to last year. The ‘Noles offense only turned the ball over 20 times all year in 2016. They’ve turned the ball over 16 times in eight games in 2017 thus far.

That’s something FSU can’t afford to do against this Clemson team. I do think the ‘Noles will get up for this game and Clemson could take FSU lightly considering what they see on tape this year.

Also, Clemson all but locked up the ACC Atlantic Division with their win over NC State last week.

FSU is still the talented team everyone thought they were in the preseason, so there’s not disparity in regards to talent between the teams across the board.

Next: How FSU Football Defense Blows Third and Long

The biggest difference is likely experience at quarterback and coaching. Ironically, Charles Kelly has fared decently at the very least against Clemson’s offense each year as defensive coordinator.

If the ‘Noles can avoid turnovers, there’s a very good shot they can cover the spread in this game.

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