FSU football: Grading our five keys to victories over Clemson goals

By Kelvin Hunt | Oct 18, 2022

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles is forced out of bound by Cornerback Sheridan Jones #6 and Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. #54 of the Clemson Tigers during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 15, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Seminoles 34 to 28. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Convert Third Downs

Here’s an excerpt from what I wrote:

"FSU improved in this department since last year, but it should be better. FSU football converted 39.5 percent of third downs through six games last year and sits at 46.75 percent through six games in 2022. However, the FSU offense has seen that number drop below 40 percent in the two games (losses). FSU converted 36.36 percent against Wake Forest and 38.46 percent against NC State Saturday night. The inability to move the chains gave the opposing offense a good field position, which made it tougher on the FSU defense. FSU must convert north of 40 percent on third downs to win this game."

Well, FSU converted 7 of 13 (54 percent), which is excellent against a great Clemson defense. The only problem is they had to go for it on fourth down four times and only converted one of those opportunities.

One of those fourth downs was on the Clemson goal line and another was a fourth and two deep in Clemson territory. The other was the failed fake punt deep in FSU’s territory. The latter two led to two Clemson field goals.

Grade-A for third downs and Grade-D for fourth downs

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