FSU enjoyed its second bye week and a chance to rest up after a physically and emotionally draining game at Miami on Oct. 17.

Clemson (4-3) battled Virginia Tech down to the wire, losing 20-16 in Death Valley. Hokies quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer tossed a fourth-down touchdown pass to Luke Reynolds with less than two minutes to go to complete the rally.

The Seminoles (3-4) are a 1.5-point favorite in Saturday’s matchup with the Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium (7 p.m. on ACC Network). Both teams have underwhelmed in 2026, with Clemson falling short of the annual expectation of competing for an ACC title while FSU has just one Power 4 win and dropped three road games.

A win would mean everything for the Seminoles and coach Mike Norvell, who have not defeated a rival since the 2023 season. For Clemson, a victory would also be significant as Dabo Swinney is suffering through a second straight season where the program is far below the 10-win standard that he established.

There are significant questions about both teams. While FSU fans are unhappy with the road losses, defense and Norvell, Clemson has somehow not thrown a passing touchdown in four straight games.

Against Power 4 opponents, Clemson has scored 10, 20, 24, 13 and 16 points. FSU’s embattled defense has an opportunity at redemption against a Clemson offense that has skill talent but has struggled up front and with a freshman quarterback.

Here’s an early look at Clemson. We’ll have more on the Tigers in the coming days.

Record: 4-3. Clemson lost to a pair of ranked teams (at LSU, 51-10) and vs. Miami (41-13). Virginia Tech could be ranked coming off the victory under first-year coach James Franklin. The Tigers have a pair of wins in ACC play, against North Carolina (28-20) and at California (24-10). They have also won guarantee games against Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern.

Coach: Dabo Swinney had a 12-year run that was quite impressive, enjoying double-digit wins in each year from 2011-24. That includes national titles in 2016 and 2018. But the last two seasons, Clemson went 7-6 and is now 4-3.

Series vs. FSU: The Seminoles have not enjoyed recent success, only earning a 2023 overtime victory at Clemson. Prior to that, FSU won in overtime at Doak in 2014.

National stats on offense: Clemson is last in the ACC and 111th in the 138-team FBS in scoring offense at 21.4 points per game. The Tigers are 78th in rushing (150.57 yards) and 115th in passing (182.6 yards). 

National stats on defense: Clemson is allowing just 21.3 points per game (49th in FBS). The Tigers are allowing 185.7 passing yards per game (35th in the FBS) and 131.3 passing yards (55th in FBS).

Strength: Clemson’s defense and FSU’s offense would be a very good football team, likely one that would compete for a spot in the ACC title game alongside Miami. That’s of little consolation to both programs, but does illustrate a defined strength for both teams as well as the major headaches. The Tigers have a dominating front, led by end Will Heldt, and kept VT to just 70 rushing yards on 37 carries. Heldt (6-6, 260) is a rare Clemson transfer, arriving after two seasons at Purdue. He enjoyed an All-ACC season in 2025 and has six sacks in 2026. That’s a big storyline as FSU will be seeking to establish the run early with Tre Wisner and freshman Amari Thomas.

Weakness: The Tigers’ offensive line includes two sophomore starters and has struggled in pass protection. Reynolds was sacked four times and VT racked up 13 tackles for loss. Clemson’s line has allowed 21 sacks, an average of three per game (that’s 124th in the FBS). FSU has climbed to 25th in the FBS with 19 sacks.

Quarterback: Freshman Tait Reynolds (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) completed 20 of 26 passes for 153 yards and had a 16-yard touchdown run in the loss to VT. His best game statistically came against Miami, when Reynolds completed 29 of 44 passes for 295 yards and an interception. Stunningly, he has just one touchdown pass (vs. UNC on Sept. 19) and three interceptions. Reynolds also has 80 carries for 164 yards and the touchdown vs. VT.

Players to watch: Aside from Reynolds and Heldt, Clemson features tailback Gideon Davidson (492 yards, five touchdowns). The 200-pound Davidson had back-to-back 100-yard games against UNC and California but has not achieved as much success the last three games, rushing for 25 yards vs. Miami and a touchdown, 59 yards and a touchdown vs. Charleston Southern and 62 yards against Virginia Tech. … Receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. has just 34 catches for 378 yards. The 6-2, 195-pound Wesco been underutilized, similar to FSU and Duce Robinson. … Cornerback Ashton Hampton (6-2, 205) is a Tallahassee native and has 25 tackles this season. He is the son of former FSU assistant Alonzo Hampton.

Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a gift card at Alumni Hall.