#19 Florida State (0-0, 0-0 ACC) @ Clemson (0-0, 0-0 ACC), Monday, September 3rd, 8PM EST, ESPNHD, XM Satellite Radio ch 190 & 191.
The Line: FSU -3
Edge goes to:
Offense: Clemson
Defense: Push
Special Teams: Clemson - Based solely on the return game.
Intangibles: FSU - Given the new coaching changes and last years season, the Seminoles have to win this game to at least start to get back on the right track.
Our panel of DFIG "experts" say:
Willy Mac: There are just too many question marks for both teams on the offensive side of the ball. You might as well just call this the question mark game. It’s definitely looking to be a defensive game all the way through, so be sure to sneak some liquor in to the game if you’re going because you’ll need it about halfway through the second quarter. Be ready to have your eye balls bored out of your skull. Just a sloppy, defensive game and there’s a good chance that we could drop this one.
FSU 17, Clemson 20 in OT
Probably how I will look as friends and family are trying to coax me to drink water at halftime. "You... you don't... you, you don't love me. And y-y-y-you don't understand."
Chili: I agree with Willy Mac that this game will be a defensive struggle, but occasionally highlighted by the skills of Spiller & Davis and whatever speed freaks the Seminoles have in their arsenal. Both offensive lines are untested as a unit, but our linemen have a lot more snaps on an individual level than do FSU's where several guys are playing the position for the first time at the college level. I stated in our season preview that the FSU coaching changes will make a difference in the long run, but I don't think they play out decisively in this contest. Clemson has a dazzling bag of tricks ready to unleash on the 'Noles today. They've practiced direct snaps, reverses, trick screens and an array of out of the ordinary plays to throw FSU off balance. FSU will look to air it out on us like the days of old, but they still have... Weatherford at QB. I think if our trick plays prove effective it will make the difference in the game. I look to see this one go into the fourth quarter with the Tigers pulling it out.
Clemson 21, FSU 17
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