FSU football: 3 reasons Noles beat Clemson, two reasons they lose

Aug 27, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) celebrates after a play against the Duquesne Dukes during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) celebrates after a play against the Duquesne Dukes during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /
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FSU football has a major test on Saturday afternoon when they travel to take on the Clemson Tigers. The Noles enter the game as -2.5 road betting favorites with a total under/over of 55.5. Those odds imply a 29-26 FSU win.

FSU has played the stiffer competition between the two teams, while playing two games away from the home confines of Doak Campbell Stadium.

FSU rolled previously ranked No. 5 LSU in the second half of their season opener, destroyed Southern Miss, and squeaked past Boston College last week.

Clemson lost against Duke as double-digit betting favorites in the season opener, pulled away from Charleston Southern in the second half, and throttled FAU Saturday night.

There are several questions going into the game. Which FSU team will show up on the road in Death Valley? Will Clemson’s young and inexperienced QB perform well? Will FSU get most of their starters back who missed last week’s game?

Can FSU establish its running game? Can Clemson establish its running game? Can FSU overcome the mental block of not beating Clemson since 2014, after coming close the last two seasons? Let’s look at three reasons why FSU will win and two reasons they could lose.