Florida State or Clemson

[44PRIDE]

Can't believe I'm actually asking this question...

But given the fact that we should have our 2nd string QB back in the line-up, does SU have a chance to beat Clemson or FSU? As of today, those are the last two remaining ranked teams on our schedule.

 

[orange_in_VA]

Can't believe I'm actually asking this question...

But given the fact that we should have our 2nd string QB back in the line-up, does SU have a chance to beat Clemson or FSU? As of today, those are the last two remaining ranked teams on our schedule.

We have a chance against everyone on our schedule if we can stay healthy. Neither of those teams is dominant, and both are actually a little down this year, imo. Would be nice for perception to beat at least one of them.

 

[Doc5120]

I think we have a real chance against Clemson. Watson is an excellent QB and they've got some nice skill position players, but they don't look like world beaters to me. Granted, they've really only played 1 real team, but I didn't come away overly impressed. FSU - on the other hand, there's just something about playing there that makes me say we've got very little chance.

 

[upperdeck]

if we hold FSU to 14 like BC did we have a shot. dont think we can though.

clemson is going to be coming off a tough stretch. ND should beat them. Gt could beat them up. BC will give them a game with the D. miami/nc st who knows and FSU before us. they could be a 3-4 loss team by the time they get the dome.

 

[Shenexon]

We have a chance against everyone on our schedule if we can stay healthy. Neither of those teams is dominant, and both are actually a little down this year, imo. Would be nice for perception to beat at least one of them.

I think Clemson at home is our best chance. We have a few issues that a loud home crowd could help. Shafer et al need to find a solution to our db problems to be able to succeed against good teams. Our offense could be very good as we go forward but our downfield defense is hurting. We need stops from that group and they've been struggling to come up with them. I have trust in the coaches to come up with adjustments that will help, but teams will challenge us downfield and put pressure on the db's the rest of the season.

 

[BlackKnight76]

Neither team is great but I'm afraid of Watson just bombing out our secondary. I shouldn't be afraid of Golson, he's been pretty bad this season, but I was at the 2014 Notre Dame game...

 

[cuse309]

I hate getting ahead of myself on Dungey. He's only played in 3 games, and was just starting to look "special" before he got hurt. That being said, normally I look at how big and athletic FSU's d line is, and would say we don't have a shot there. With Dungey's athleticism though, that d line will have to be disciplined. His athleticism can really neutralize their size and speed.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Can't believe I'm actually asking this question...

But given the fact that we should have our 2nd string QB back in the line-up, does SU have a chance to beat Clemson or FSU? As of today, those are the last two remaining ranked teams on our schedule.

Yes

 

[ImperialOrange]

Neither team is great but I'm afraid of Watson just bombing out our secondary. I shouldn't be afraid of Golson, he's been pretty bad this season, but I was at the 2014 Notre Dame game...

Couple things though. We did turn him over 5 times and appear to be able to cover bubble screens this season. Also, our offense actually scores some touchdowns this year which, I feel, In turn allows our defense to play loose and with a shorter memory.

 

[HtownOrange]

Can't believe I'm actually asking this question...

But given the fact that we should have our 2nd string QB back in the line-up, does SU have a chance to beat Clemson or FSU? As of today, those are the last two remaining ranked teams on our schedule.

We hung with #8 LSU while paying our 5th string walk-on QB. The team is disciplined enough to win. The team has the coaching to win. The team has the tools to win. FSU and Clemson may have some better rated players, but their coaching had best be at the top of their game. Gone are the days of being impressed with player ratings and simply rolling over. Teams that want to beat Syracuse will have to earn the victory. I am not saying FSU and Clemson are not the ACC elite, but I am saying they cannot simply circle the game and go through the motions if they want the W.

 

[Chip]

It's too hard to predict anything with health these days. But if we're mostly healthy, I think we hang around in the Clemson game, just like LSU. Without Mike Williams, they've lost a weapon that is impacting their offense. Will be curious how they do against a tough ND defense this weekend. If Watson should go down, you'd have to think Clemson doesn't have the defense to overcome it like they did last year.

FSU on the road, I don't expect that to go very well. Not like 2013 bad, but losing by 3 TDs.

 

[TheCusian]

I think if Watson plays he picks us apart. Their D is really solid.

FSU is far more one dimensional than in years past. They are a run first team. Plays to our strengths.

 

[Cusetime]

If the game were to be played today I bet we would be a 7 point underdog against Clemson. Watson can't pick our defense apart when he is on his back or running for his like most of the game.

 

[SWC75]

If we can stay healthy, all the games are on the table. But that's a big if off the record the last couple of years. And our secondary is a big concern. We'll have to simply out-score some people.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

I think it's very important that we at least give Clemson a game at home. We really have to make up for last season's home games debacle. It'd be great if we could completely inverse it going 6-1 at home with a close loss against a playoff contender.

 

[jekelish]

CAN we compete, and maybe pull off an upset? Of course.

WILL we? I don't think so. But I think we proved enough against LSU that it's at least plausible.