FSU football: How Nole defense matches up with Clemson offense

Final Thoughts

I think FSU’s defense can handle Clemson’s run game, and the key will be keeping Clemson in predictable passing situations.

Clemson must consistently connect on explosive plays or execute drives of 8+ plays to find success. Clemson’s offense only converts third downs 29 percent of the time when it’s 3rd and 7+. FSU can’t allow explosive plays, and if Clemson can execute long drives, then you have to tip your hat.

I know they have looked terrible, but they still have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. The key is getting stops early in the game, so they don’t find any confidence. If the FSU defense can force punts and give the FSU offense a short field to get a lead early, that would put a lot of pressure on Clemson.

I also believe the FSU football defense having success against the Clemson offense could play a role in the Clemson defense not playing up to their capability.

They could find themselves in a similar boat as FSU’s defense early in the year. If they don’t believe their offense can score, and they might start going through the motions.

If that’s the case, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the FSU offense start moving the ball in chunks, similar to how Pittsburgh did at times in the second half last week. If the Noles can grab a lead early, that could be all it takes to put the Tigers away for the first time since 2014.