We’re headed into Week 4 of College Football, and the Clemson Tigers stay home for the third week to host No. 4 ranked Florida State. Today we will discuss the “make or break” matchup, covering some very interesting stats, and we’ll finish with some details about this week’s LIVE Pregame Show!
FSU at Clemson is a matchup that has been discussed since the schedules were released in pre-season. There’s no doubt that the Seminoles and Tigers are the top teams in the ACC, and with that being said, people were already buying popcorn. Florida State got the upper hand after the Week 1 match, where they came out with a 45-21 victory over LSU, who ranked No. 5 at the time. On the other hand, Clemson had one of its worst performances in PROGRAM history, with a blowout loss to Duke. That game rocked everyone’s boat, as people went from calling it a close, head-to-head matchup, to saying it will be an FSU blowout.
I will say this: When the Tigers are doing bad, everyone hates them, and when they’re doing good, everyone hates them even more. Clemson has won two national championships in the last ten years, and competed for a few more, and we won’t even talk about their domination in the ACC. They are one of the best teams in college football, and because of that, they are expected to play like one.
A Clemson fan account, @ClemsonRT, tweeted out some very interesting statistics that show Clemson out-ranking FSU in some critical aspects of the game.
Cherry-picked stats that might be relevant on Saturday:
— Clemson Highlights (@ClemsonRT) September 20, 2023
3rd down conversion %
Clemson 31st (nationally)
FSU 62nd
3rd down conversion % defense
Clemson 17th
FSU 38th
Total Defense
Clemson 8
FSU 101
First down defense
Clemson 7
FSU 88
First downs offense
Clemson 3
FSU 49…
I know that Dabo isn’t, or shouldn’t be, on the hot seat. Unless this team goes 4-8, there is no reason to be hating on him, especially given what he’s done for the Clemson football program so far. It’s how football is: Week 1, you lose, and now your dreams for the whole season are shot down. And for us fans, I suppose it’s okay to have that angle, but Dabo Swinney is someone who can’t have that angle. He and his team’s season isn’t over by any means, and I believe he plans to show everyone he’s still one of the greatest coaches of this decade. All we can do as fans is sit back, wait, and show our love for the Tigers.
Our I Bleed Orange LIVE Pregame Show will take place this FRIDAY, the 22nd, at 4:30 pm!! We will be at O’Boutique Luxury Optical, discussing the anticipated matchup and telling you more about O’Boutique. You can stay tuned to our I Bleed Orange Sports Network Facebook group so you don’t miss a beat!
A huge IBO WELCOME to our newest sponsor, Boneyard Cycles, 507 Pearman Dairy Rd
Anderson, SC 29625. They have some very unique motorcycles so go see them!
Written by: Brandon Cannady
