Staff Predictions: Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers

Tommy Castellanos leads the nation in yards per completion (16.77), yards per pass (10.32) and 60-yard completions (5)

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What is the story about?

The Florida State Seminoles (4-4, 1-4) begin the final third of the 2025 season by traveling to Clemson, S.C., to face the erratic Tigers (3-5, 2-4) in a Saturday night ACC matchup of two once proud programs with embattled coaches, playing out the season hoping to become bowl-eligible. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will be televised on the ACC Network.

This marks the 38th meeting between the two programs, with the Seminoles holding a 21-16 lead in the all-time series, which began with a 38-13

victory for FSU in Tallahassee in 1970. In their last 10 matchups, Clemson has won 8, with both of Florida State’s victories occurring in overtime. The Seminoles have an even 9-9 record when playing at Clemson and will be looking to hand the Tigers their first three-game home losing streak since 2001.

FSU is coming off a 42-7 win against Wake Forest, highlighted by five rushing touchdowns. WR Duce Robinson caught five passes for 148 yards; his three games with at least 140 receiving yards are tied for the most in the country. On defense, FSU’s Earl Little Jr. has picked off an interception in three consecutive games.

Clemson is looking to bounce back from a 46-45 loss at home to Duke, despite scoring a season-high 45 points. The Tigers’ offense recorded a season-high 560 yards and averaged 7.8 yards per play against Duke. Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 27 of 36 passes for a career-high 385 yards, along with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the loss.

According to FanDuel, Florida State is a 1.5-point underdog, with the over/under set at 56.5 points.

As we await the kickoff, enjoy some highlights from the last time FSU visited Clemson in 2023.

Read what your TOMAHAWK NATION PROGNOSTICATORS think about this Saturday’s showdown.
Then look over and digest all the FREE PRE-GAME CONTENT we’ve posted leading up to this game.
We would love to hear your thoughts about how you feel about this game and your final score prediction in the comments.

Curt Weiler (season record: 2-6)

Who knows what to make of this game? Clemson absolutely should be better than it has been with that talent level, but you can also make a strong case that Florida State has been a better team than its 4-4 record.

This is as unconfident as I’ve been in a pick all season, but I’m going with the team that has one unit (FSU’s offense) that I feel the most confident about.

FSU 34, Clemson 28

Jordan Silversmith (season record: 3-5)

Well, this strange season took another turn last week as Florida State blitzed a competent Wake Forest defense to the tune of 42 points and a 35-point rout. The Seminoles hit the road this weekend to face a much-maligned Clemson team that has lost three games in a row at home and looks like a shell of itself. However, a bad record is not indicative of the talent on the roster. If not for a horrible call last week, CU would have defeated Duke. Cade Klubnik also missed out in an October loss to SMU, but the QB has been on fire since returning from injury.

There are a lot of parallels between Clemson and Florida State this season, and Saturday night should be a high-scoring back-and-forth affair. I agree with Curt that I could see this game going in any direction. But, I have more trust in Clemson not to lose the game at home than I do for FSU to pull it out on the road.

Clemson 35, FSU 31

Tim Scribble (season record: 4—4)

Saturday is a prove-it game for Florida State. On paper, they should win this game. Clemson’s defense is susceptible, and FSU needs to take advantage. Will they, though? That’s been the question for the last month. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Seminoles somehow pull off a shoot-out win. I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?

FSU 38, Clemson 35

Matt Minnick (season record: 2-6; 4-4 ATS)

As my record clearly shows, I have no idea. I know that Clemson probably isn’t as bad as their record indicates. Of course, neither is FSU. The ‘Noles are coming off their most complete game since week 1. Clemson is coming off a loss in a game where, statistically, they should have won by double digits. Sound familiar? I’ll go with the home team for this “prime time” matchup, but truthfully, I wouldn’t be surprised by any outcome.

Clemson 34, FSU 33

NoleThruandThru (season record: 2-6)

Post-Stanford, I said that I would not pick FSU to win for the rest of the season. Hoping for a reverse jinx, but won’t be surprised at all if FSU makes Clemson look like the squad many thought they’d be heading into the season.

Clemson 38, FSU 31

Frank Danole (season record: 4-4)

Last week I predicted that game would be the point in the season when everything gets turned around. That happened, and I expect it will continue this week with FSU getting one win away from becoming bowl eligible.

On paper, it would appear Clemson is the more talented team. However, the Seminole players will want it more, play with more heart than the Tiger players, and give 113% more effort on every play, willing FSU to victory to beat Clemson at home in consecutive games for the first time since 2001.

FSU Seminoles 45, Clempsun Dabo’s 37

Perry Kostidakis (season record: 3-5, 3-4 ATS)

First things first — I’ll be surprised if the under hits in this matchup (56.5), given both teams’ penchant for giving up points. While Clemson has struggled this season, it is still capable of putting up scores, having put up 38-plus points in three of its last four games. FSU finally converted production into points against Wake, a trend that I see continuing this weekend in Death Valley.

While Florida State is trying to bounce back from midseason disappointment, Clemson’s been going through a nightmare season reminiscent of FSU’s 2024. During such nightmare years, it seems like blow after blow comes to compound the misery — breaking two decade-long streaks, losing to Duke, setting program-lows — and unfortunately for Clemson, that latest addition of pain is going to come in the form of the third loss to FSU at home in the last 20 years.

FSU 41, Clemson 33