FSU football: Top 5 major keys to defeating Clemson Tigers

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) calls out a play. The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Duquesne Dukes at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.Fsu V Duquesne892
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) calls out a play. The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Duquesne Dukes at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.Fsu V Duquesne892 /
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Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Win Field Position Battle

The field position battle is something FSU football fans have ignored all season. However, it’s one of the main culprits the Noles have lost in the last two games.

Here’s something that will capture your attention and why the FSU defense deserves more praise than you can imagine. NC State’s average starting field position was their 29-yard line. FSU’s starting field position was their 22-yard line. NC State had drives that started at the following:

-NC State 42
-NC State 43
-FSU 13
-FSU 40

Those drives only resulted in six points. Clemson has a better offense than NC State and giving the Tigers that kind of field position on four offensive drives wouldn’t be a good recipe for success.

The FSU offense has to move the ball enough if they don’t score to allow Alex Mastromanno to flip the field instead of punting from near his end zone. FSU needs their defense to get off the field quickly so the Clemson offense doesn’t have the opportunity to pin them deep. Clemson’s punter isn’t great and their could be opportunities for FSU in the punt return game.