Most Important Game of the Season: Florida State at Clemson, Nov. 7
Yeah, I know, this sounds like the obvious answer. But the fact really is that ever since Clemson emerged as a legitimate threat in the Atlantic Division in 2011, this has been the most important game in the ACC each and every season. Ultimately, the winner of this game decides who will be making that trip to Charlotte in December as champions of the division, and to a point, this has national title implications as well.
Last season these two gave us one of the classic games of the entire season, with the Seminoles narrowly escaping with the overtime win despite Jameis Winston being suspended. Clemson had the chance to ruin Florida State’s College Football Playoff run in their own house with their Heisman-winning quarterback on the sidelines, but they couldn’t get the job done. That, no doubt, still stings them heading into this season.
Speaking of sting, with this year’s game taking place in Death Valley, let’s all not forget what happened the last time that Florida State made the trip to Clemson. Back in 2013 while they were on their national title run, the Seminoles walked into Death Valley for a prime time game and they literally embarrassed the Tigers to the tune of 51-14. Even if some of the Clemson players this season weren’t on the field that fateful night, you can bet that past players and the coaching staff has been reminding them endlessly about the humiliation that was felt on that night.
And, once again, more than likely the winner of the Atlantic Division in 2015 will come from whoever is the winner on Nov. 7.
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