Top 5 Showdown in the ACC
It will only last one week in the AP Poll, but there is something to be said for the ACC having the most teams of any conference in the top 5. Honorable mention to Miami, who climbed into the top 10 this past week as well. That puts 3 teams from the ACC in the top 10 and all three are still undefeated. After this week, however, one team will fall, and the other will be in the driver seat in the ACC Title race.
Florida State heads into Death Valley this weekend to take on Clemson in what is sure to be an instant classic. So much is riding on this game for both teams. The winner of this matchup over the last four seasons has gone on to play in the ACC Title game. But there is more than just a conference championship on the minds of both these teams..... A shot at the BCS Title Game could be on the line as well.
Clemson has been very solid thus far. A big win over Georgia to start the season has given this team a lot confidence. Then they came face to face with a struggle with Boston College this past weekend. As each quarter went by you could hear the fans already, "Well, I guess Clemson is going to pull a 'Clemson'." But Clemson dug themselves out of that hole and got the win to avoid the same fate as so many ranked teams did last Saturday. The Tigers have come a long ways in the last five or six seasons. Coaching changes, new defensive coordinator, and new offensive coordinator..... All these changes and they have built a very solid foundation for success. Chad Morris has the offense performing at a level similar to that of Oregon. Clemson truly has gone through a rapid transformation. Now they feel they are ready to make that Championship run. There is one key obstacle that stands in their way on October 19th. That obstacle is Florida State.
Florida State heads into this game after having an extra week to rest and prepare. "That's a good thing and a bad thing" Coach Fisher says. He is glad to give them the rest but worried that they will lose some of the momentum they have built up through the first half of the season. Fisher is in his 4th year has FSU's head coach. His great work on the recruiting trail has finally started to show on the field. It's a little early to say that he has them back to what fans were used to seeing in the 1990's, but he certainly has them on the right track. In the 90's, the Seminoles never had to rebuild, they would simply reload. During the off-season many speculated that this season might be a rebuilding year for the Noles because of all the players lost to the draft. So far this season, it appears as though they haven't rebuilt but they have reloaded.
Replacing a veteran QB named EJ Manuel? No problem, the Noles can start this redshirt freshman named Jameis Winston. It couldn't have been a more perfect situation for Winston to take over. A loaded offense with every weapon a QB could ever want... But what fans across the country want to know at this point is 'what will Winston do when tested in Death Valley'? He has been amazing so far..... He has exceeded the expectations, even though those expectations might have been a little too high. The truth is, whatever hype that surrounds Winston, it is only what Winston created for himself. It wasn't intentional, but his play on the field has elevated the hype and expectations every week. Winston loves the 'big stage'. He enjoys the challenge in a different way than most. FSU fans are hoping he is ready for the next challenge, which lies in Death Valley.
This game will come down to a few simple areas of the game. Running the ball, the defense, and special teams. Florida State has the advantage at running-back, as far as experience goes. The defense might be the biggest question mark on both sides..... maybe more with FSU than Clemson. Both sides have given up yards they shouldn't. The Tigers may have the advantage here, though. They have been in their new scheme now for over a year, whereas Florida State is still learning a new system that was put into play this season. Special teams will be key. Controlling field position if and when each team has to punt.
Both teams have explosive offenses. It will be interesting to see the chess match that takes place between the signal callers. Will Fisher want to control the clock and keep the Tigers' offense off the field for as long as possible, or will he dial up the big plays and try to score fast? What about Clemson's offense? They run a little of everything. Read Options, Reverse Options, Trick plays, Deep throws, etc.... They run every play you can think to run out of the spread offense. At any moment they could hit the opposing defense with a 'cheap shot'. Florida State's defense will have to play disciplined football for all 60 minutes.
Don't miss the big game, 8pm Eastern Time on Saturday night. Check back later this week for CollegeFootball2Day's key games and picks.....and maybe a little surprise on Friday afternoon.... Join the discussion at www.fans25.com All Sports, All the Time.
Replacing a veteran QB named EJ Manuel? No problem, the Noles can start this redshirt freshman named Jameis Winston. It couldn't have been a more perfect situation for Winston to take over. A loaded offense with every weapon a QB could ever want... But what fans across the country want to know at this point is 'what will Winston do when tested in Death Valley'? He has been amazing so far..... He has exceeded the expectations, even though those expectations might have been a little too high. The truth is, whatever hype that surrounds Winston, it is only what Winston created for himself. It wasn't intentional, but his play on the field has elevated the hype and expectations every week. Winston loves the 'big stage'. He enjoys the challenge in a different way than most. FSU fans are hoping he is ready for the next challenge, which lies in Death Valley. This game will come down to a few simple areas of the game. Running the ball, the defense, and special teams. Florida State has the advantage at running-back, as far as experience goes. The defense might be the biggest question mark on both sides..... maybe more with FSU than Clemson. Both sides have given up yards they shouldn't. The Tigers may have the advantage here, though. They have been in their new scheme now for over a year, whereas Florida State is still learning a new system that was put into play this season. Special teams will be key. Controlling field position if and when each team has to punt.Both teams have explosive offenses. It will be interesting to see the chess match that takes place between the signal callers. Will Fisher want to control the clock and keep the Tigers' offense off the field for as long as possible, or will he dial up the big plays and try to score fast? What about Clemson's offense? They run a little of everything. Read Options, Reverse Options, Trick plays, Deep throws, etc.... They run every play you can think to run out of the spread offense. At any moment they could hit the opposing defense with a 'cheap shot'. Florida State's defense will have to play disciplined football for all 60 minutes.
Don't miss the big game, 8pm Eastern Time on Saturday night. Check back later this week for CollegeFootball2Day's key games and picks.....and maybe a little surprise on Friday afternoon.... Join the discussion at www.fans25.com All Sports, All the Time.
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