Florida State football and Clemson may have been joining forces in their legal battle with the ACC, but the game still has to be played.
Clemson has had FSU's number in seven of the last eight meetings. Last year, the Seminoles ended its seven-year slump against the Tigers with an overtime victory in Death Valley.
The FSU went on to win the ACC Championship and finished 13-1 on the season.
The two ACC heavyweights might have similar vibes this season. Clemson will be at Doak Campbell Stadium in Week 6, beginning on Oct. 5.
ESPN's College Gameday expects to attend Tallahassee for a live telecast as both teams favor winning the conference title and other storylines involving the two programs.
That includes Clemson and FSU's ongoing lawsuit against the ACC for media rights. FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will face his former team and Mike Norvell and Dabo Swinney's' stance on the transfer portal.
What a way to build up before the showdown.
Who is Clemson's head coach
Dabo Swinney will be entering his 17th season with the Tigers. He is 170-43 in his coaching career and Clemson's all-time winningest coach.
He is also the first coach in program history to lead Clemson to multiple national championships.
Last season, Clemson went 9-4 (4-4 in the ACC).
FSU vs. Clemson all-time record
21-15, FSU
Last meeting between FSU and Clemson
Last season, FSU beat Clemson 31-24 in overtime at Death Valley on Sept. 23.
Clemson's Top Players
Offense: QB Clade Klubnik, 2,844 yards,19 touchdowns, nine INT; RB Phil Mafah, 965 yards, 13 Touchdowns; TE Jake Briningstool, 50 rec. 498 yards, five touchdowns, OL Blake Miller
Defense: Edge TJ Parker, 33 tackles, 5.5 sacks; LB Barrett Carter, 62 tackles, five passes defended, 3.5 sacks, one interception; S Khalil Barnes, 38 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles; S RJ Mickens, 42 tackles, three passes defended
Clemson's key losses, additions
Losses: RB Will Shipley, WR Beaux Collins, OL Mitchell Mayes, OL Will Putnam, DL Tyler Davis, DL Ruke Orhorhoro, LB Jeremiah Trotter, LB Xavier Thomas, CB Nate Wiggins, CB Toriano Pride Jr., S Jalyn Phillips, DB Andrew Makuba,
Additions: N/A
Dabo Swinney has no interest in the transfer portal
Swinney made it clear that he opposes using the transfer portal and focuses on the guys he recruited from high school.
It was the first time in 13 years that the Tigers didn't reach 10 wins. The two-time national champion continues to defend not being active in the portal.
"We've been very consistent, even the last three years," Swinney told CBS Sports. "There's a perception, a narrative that gets drummed up that we stink, that we're no good because we haven't made a Final Four.
"We made it six years in a row. It's hard, you know? You gotta have a little luck along the way, and we've had some tough breaks, but in that three-year span, we won 30 games."
Swinney's mindset has been consistent whenever he asked about the transfer portal. Clemson still remains active in recruiting high school prospects, as he ranked in the top 20 in different media outlets.
FSU is the complete opposite. Norvell has taken advantage of the transfer portal in the last few seasons. After a 13-1 season last year, Norvel continued to be involved in the portal, adding guys like former Clemson QB Uiagalelei, defensive lineman Marvin Jones Jr. from Georgia and wide receiver Malik Benson from Alabama.
Both coaches with different team-building approaches will be displayed on Oct. 5.
Outlook on Clemson
If the Seminoles defeat the Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium, it will be the first time since 2014 that FSU has beaten Clemson at home in consecutive years.
Clemson's 9-4 season doesn't seem like a big fallout, but losing to three ACC opponents did kick the Tigers out of championship contention.
Clemson was efficient on defense but lost a lot of talent to the NFL in the transfer portal, leaving some holes to fill. Klubnik returns at quarterback for Clemson after an inconsistent sophom*ore year.
Clemson will challenge right from the jump. The Tigers will face the Georgia Bulldogs on their season opener on Aug. 31 at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
The Tigers will have three straight home games afterward before going on the road to Florida State. Whoever emerges victorious could turn the corner and become the frontrunner for the ACC title.
Florida State football schedule 2024
- Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN
- Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
- Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
- Sept. 21 vs. California
- Sept. 28 at SMU
- Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
- Oct. 18 at Duke
- Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
- Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
- Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
- Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
- Nov. 30: Florida
- Dec. 7: ACC Championship
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
