ESPN analyst Greg McElroy came out with his prediction for the Clemson-Florida State clash this Saturday, and he sees the Seminoles taking it 26-22. That’s right, a tight one, with Clemson covering as a six-point underdog, but McElroy’s biggest hang-up, the one that could swing this game, is Clemson’s inability to turn scoring opportunities into actual touchdowns.
Red Zone Woes and Hauser’s Heavy Leg
Look, Nolan Hauser has been busy. The guy’s booted 18 field goals this season, tied for the most in the FBS. That sounds great, right? Your kicker is money. But McElroy calls it out directly: “How many times does Nolan Hauser trot on the field?” It’s a legitimate question when Clemson is scoring touchdowns on a pathetic 39% of their red zone trips. You get down there, you gotta finish drives with six points, not three. That’s the kind of inefficiency that loses you games, especially against a conference rival.
Sack City on Both Sides
Getting into position for those field goals might even be a struggle this week. Clemson’s offense has surrendered 21 sacks so far, and Florida State’s defensive line is no joke. They’ve racked up 19 sacks themselves, with Rylan Kennedy being an absolute beast, accounting for six of those. McElroy is eyeing that matchup between Clemson’s quick-throw game and Kennedy’s relentless pressure. Can Clemson get the ball out fast enough for those short passes to develop, or will the protection just melt? On the flip side, Clemson’s defense isn’t exactly sitting back, either. They’ve got 20 sacks on the season, and Florida State’s offense has allowed 18. Expect pressure to disrupt Florida State’s downfield passing game, even if McElroy thinks they’ll keep taking those chances.
Both offenses are staring down tough matchups up front. For Clemson, though, it all comes back to finishing those drives. “Clemson will kick their way into a cover, and Hauser might get the game ball, but can they finish in the end zone?” McElroy asked. “That’s a legitimate question.” The Tigers, currently sitting at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the ACC, head to Doak Campbell Stadium to face the Seminoles (3-4, 1-3) this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network. Can they find an answer to that question when it matters most?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply