ACC Football 2018 Preview: Can anyone stop Clemson?

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers accepts the ACC Football Championship trophy from ACC Commissioner John Swofford following the Tigers' victory over the Miami Hurricanes at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

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CLEMSON, SC – NOVEMBER 11: Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (42) sacks Florida State quarterback James Blackman (1) during 1st half action between the Clemson Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC. on November 11, 2017. (Photo by Doug Buffington/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Game of the Year: Clemson at Florida State

It must be said this is one of the easier choices to make in this year’s ACC preview. Circle your calendars for October 27th when Dabo Swinney leads his team into a hostile road environment at Florida State.

Most pundits believe this game could determine the outcome of the Atlantic Division. It may well mean even more for the Tigers. Defeating the ‘Noles could provide the Tigers a credible springboard to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff. It probably can’t do quite that much for Florida State, but it’s not impossible it could do the same for Willie Taggart’s program.

If Florida State wants to spring the upset, they’ll need the atmosphere to be absolutely electric. The Seminoles program still has a lot of talent, but they don’t have the elite NFL prospects that Clemson has all over the field.

Expect the matchup to boil down to a battle between Florida State’s offense and Clemson’s defense. There’s little doubt the Tigers will boast one of the stingiest defenses in the nation. There’s a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball for Florida State, but it’s much less proven. In particular, Deondre Francois will need to grab hold of the quarterback job and lead his team. If that doesn’t happen, it’s going to be very difficult for the ‘Noles to knock off the powerful Tigers.