Sept 22, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins (2) is tackled by Florida State Seminoles defensive back P.J. Williams (26) during the first half of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Just over one year ago, the fourth ranked Florida State Seminoles defeated the 10th Clemson Tigers 49-37 in one of the biggest ACC games of all time. Although the two teams each lost two games in the 2012 season, both had impressive bowl showings. The Seminoles blew out the Northern Illinois Huskies to win the Orange Bowl and the Tigers rallied to beat the LSU Tigers in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
As soon as the ACC schedule came out, October 19 was circled.
Both teams have done their part so far. The Tigers defeated a top 5 team, the Georgia Bulldogs, to start the season and are 6-0. The Seminoles are also 5-0 and outside of a poor first quarter against the Boston College Eagles, they’ve barely been challenged.
Now, both teams are in the top five. The Tigers are ranked third while the Seminoles moved up to five after the Stanford Cardinal were upset by the Utah Utes Saturday.
“It’s gotten really big,” Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd said. “That’s the way essentially it’s supposed to be, championship runs for Florida State and Clemson every year. I think that’s what it was intended for. No disrespecting the other schools, but it’s just kind of the way things are working, especially in the latter years.”
In somewhat of a surprise, the Seminole opened up as a three-point road favorite.
Not only does the winner have control of the ACC’s Atlantic Division and has the inside track for a trip to a BCS game, but the winner will likely be ranked third and will be “on-deck” behind the Alabama Crimson Tide and Oregon Ducks for a spot in the BCS title game.
This game also could go a long way in determining the Heisman Trophy. Boyd, a redshirt senior and the Seminoles’ signal-caller, redshirt freshman Jameis Winston are both in contention for the award.
The two teams will finally kick off on Saturday at 8:00 pm EST.
