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Clemson vs. Florida State Becomes a Fight for Bowl Eligibility in Rare Down Year

Each program faces scrutiny over trajectory, with Florida State chasing its first ACC road win since 2023, Clemson searching for answers on defense.

Earl Little Jr. #0 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a fourth down stop against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the fourth quarter of a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Kickoff is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, with television coverage on ACC Network.
  • ESPN’s FPI favors Florida State at 53.7% as both teams sit outside the ACC race and target six wins for bowl qualification.
  • Florida State ended a four-game slide with a 42-7 win over Wake Forest yet carries an ACC road drought dating to Nov. 4, 2023.
  • Clemson is 3-5 after a 46-45 loss to Duke that put a 20-year bowl streak at risk, with the defense ranking 10th in the ACC at 24.0 points allowed per game under first-year coordinator Tom Allen.
  • The matchup pits Clemson’s top-15 passing offense—despite the season-ending loss of receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.—against an FSU defense tested by big-play threats like Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore, while the Seminoles bring explosive production led by Duce Robinson but recent inconsistency in the run game.