The Clemson University football team’s 2013 season opener against Georgia was billed as one of the biggest games in school history – and it was.
But here’s the thing about big games: When you win them (as Clemson did), the next “big game” looms even larger. Such is the case with this weekend’s showdown between No. 3 Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) and No. 5 Florida State (5-0, 3-0 ACC) – which is loaded with national championship and Heisman Trophy implications.
Only the third Top Five showdown in ACC history, this battle of undefeated teams features two of the best quarterbacks in college football – Clemson’s Tajh Boyd (who continues to rewrite the Tiger record book) and Florida State’s freshman sensation Jameis Winston (a two-sport star who is looking to become the first true freshman to win the Heisman).
Both quarterbacks are accurate, strong-armed, mobile, hard to tackle and smart with the football. Both have a wickedly talented corps of wide receivers. And both play for offensive geniuses.
The result? Crazy good numbers …
Here’s the tale of the tape …
Boyd VERSUS Winston
Senior – CLASS – Freshman
6-foot-1 – HEIGHT – 6-foot-4
225 – WEIGHT – 228
Hampton, Virginia – HOMETOWN – Bessemer, Alabama
No. 2 – HEISMAN RANKING – No. 4
No. 3 – TEAM RANKING – No. 5
1,783 – PASSING YARDS (Season) – 1,441
15 – PASSING TOUCHDOWNS (Season) – 17
2 – INTERCEPTIONS (Season) – 2
66.5 – COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (Season) – 73.2
187 – RUSHING YARDS (Season) – 135
5 – RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS – 2
@TajhB10 – TWITTER HANDLE – @Jaboowins
The real difference between the two? Boyd has a signature victory under his belt this year – the aforementioned Georgia win in which he out-dueled the Bulldogs’ All-SEC quarterback Aaron Murray. In fact Boyd has won back-to-back starts against the big bad Southeastern Conference.
A victory over Florida State and he would likely pass Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the Heisman rankings.
Winston has a couple of conference road wins under his belt – not to mention a 63-0 thrashing of then-No. 25 Maryland – but he’s never gone up against an opponent quite like Clemson (and certainly not in a hostile environment like Death Valley).
Beating the Tigers would give him his first signature win – and likely vault him to the top of the Heisman charts.
We’ll have a #FITSPick for this game later this week, but we gotta say … at this point we’re leaning Clemson (even though the Florida State defense is one of the best units in America).
What do you think? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …
Banner pic: Travis Bell Photography
28 comments
Bookie Don’t Give a Rat’s Ass has it,
Florida State 45
Clemson 42
They better not play like they did against Boston College or they’ll get trampled.
They took it easy against Boston College to prepare for this week’s game. It almost backfired.
Maybe the Cocks “took it easy” against UCF and Kentucky. Seems many Clemson fans had given us up for dead, but now I sense a tear in the fabric up in Tigertown, as the chest pounding isn’t quite as noticeable this week.
We shal see. I think Clemson has a solid shot at winning against FSU due mainly to it being played in Clemson. On a neutral field or in Tallahassee, FSU wins by 10.
You better worry about Mizz and let us worry about FSU
I don’t think my post can be construed as looking ahead this season. In fact, I think we need to worry about UT first. If we win that one, we can focus on a Franklin-less UM.
If the wind is right this Saturday, you might just hear “Rocky Top” wafting over the Great Smokies.
Tennessee 35
Sakerlina 27
Tadj better get that bustle butt of his in high gear.
*pats self on back*
Clemson fans aren’t quite as “cocky” as Carolina fans. We usually wait till after the game.
Is this a joke? This is what you said last week: “I hope he can recover and play that game so Boyd can show him how to win without being “cocky”.”
I’m thinking you need to take some of your own advice.
You’ve been waiting for a while there sport. Lot’s of little orange-clad younguns born since ’09 are walking and talking right good since ole Climpson done beat Carolina. Don’t ya know?
I think that’s an excellent plan for the Tigers.
True for FSU, as well as Clemson.
Jameis is a redshirt freshman not a true freshman.
Jimbo/Jaboo/Dabo Bowl I
Both teams score TDs on trickeration.
Turnovers will tell the tale.
FSU will turn the ball over 3 times. Clemson twice.
Final score:
Tigers 40
Noles 38
FSU misses a 51 yard go ahead field goal as time expires.
“Wide Right.”
Shifty has been rolling his Magik Round Dice for the Gamecocks, and has been dead on or veeery close! Should Shifty roll them for Clemson? He’ll think about it until later this week……
Oops.
Was right about turnovers telling the tale. … and the number “51” .
BAH!!
Did FSU really win by……..37? Trickeration?
If I’da had Tajh Boyd, they wouldn’t have hired Hootie Ingram; I might still be on the other side of them South Stands.
FSU is favored by -3 this weekend. Should be the other way around, given Clemson’s home field advantage. I’m a Gamecock fan but Vegas must be smoking grass this time. Of course I hope Vegas is right ….
Famous jameis baby!!!!
I am a Gamecock fan first and foremost but I hope the Tigers skin them alive. As long as Dabo and crew do not get too big headed and make foolish statements I will putt for the Tigers until they arrive in Columbia. It is good for the state folks!
Barf
Tajh boyd is to me the key to this game. His overall ability to pass and run the ball is acceptional. Not to mention the knack of winning he has on his resume. Seems to me people overlook that because of all the hype Winston has. My prediction is Clemson 34 Florida state 30.
“acceptional”?……..ah, yeah. 37 points, what a joke!!!
Its the 25th Anniversary….Clemson needs to keep that in mind…
http://youtu.be/hLBQWvKkGFM
or
TBG was at that game. Had no clue as to what was happening until the FSU guy was on about the Clemson 20.