Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America
Many questioned whether or not the Florida State Seminoles were ready for the primetime with the Clemson Tigers next weekend. Yes, the matchup is finally set (assuming CU destroys Furman) as the Tigers will travel to Doak Campbell Stadium in what should be quite the atmosphere.
Last year the Noles threw everything into their home night game where ESPN’s College Gameday made an appearance, and it will officially be announced tomorrow that the crew will be back in Tallahassee to see a pair of top ten teams.
Florida State (3-0) made it look easy all day against Wake Forest, who many thought would put up a fight (I had FSU 40-3)and it was not even that close. The Seminoles defense proved to America that their front seven is arguably the best one out there, and the depth goes on for days.
The youngsters are playing sensational and the secondary looks great with Xavier Rhodes and Lamarcus Joyner, and they certainly will have their hands full with Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins.
That matchup alone is mouth-watering deliciousness and it is by far the most electric ACC matchup we will witness all season long.
Clemson has BCS title aspirations as well, and a win on the road would catapult them into the top 5 in my book. Even a loss would keep them in the BCS at-large bid process, but the ACC really just wants a great game that features two tremendous squads.
Is Florida State officially back?
Totaling for over 600 yards is impressive against BCS competition, but this was against a bottom-tier ACC team despite Wake Forest stunning North Carolina at home.
The defense was flying all over the field and they owned the field position early on in the game E.J. Manuel still has to make some improvement ahead in order to achieve greatness, but the running game woes look to be put behind them.
Chris Thompson ran for 195 yards in just one half of play and James Wilder Jr reminds the nation of his daddy, who is the all-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise rushing leader.
Throw in fullback Lonnie Pryor and speedster Devonta Freeman, and the depth is there right now. The wide receivers against a Clemson will be the key next weekend, but they saw run circles around Wake Forest for 227 yards on just 28 attempts.
FSU held the Demon Decaons to only 126 yards, which makes the Clemson-Florida State matchup next weekend that much more intriguing.
Next Saturday: Clemson at Florida State, 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC
