Florida State returns to what may go down as the high point of Mike Norvell’s tenure in Tallahassee. Kalen DeLoach’s scoop-and-score against Clemson was arguably the play of the year in 2023. The Seminoles finally snapped a seven-game losing streak and secured only their third win at Clemson since the turn of the millennium.
Unfortunately, this year’s trip to Death Valley looks likely to be another forgettable outing for Seminole fans.
Florida State vs. Clemson
Date: Saturday, November 8th
Location: Clemson, SC
Previous matchup: Clemson won 29-13 in Tallahassee
All-time series: Florida State leads 21-16
Clemson Tigers Team Preview
2024 record: 10-4 (7-1), ACC Champions, lost in the first round of the College Football Playoff
Two things to know:
- Last year marked Dabo Swinney’s ninth ACC title as Clemson’s head coach. He still trails FSU legend Bobby Bowden, who won the conference 12 times between 1992 and 2005.
- FSU is just 3–9 at Clemson since 2001, including losing streaks of five and four games. You’d have to go back to the infamous 0–6–1 stretch in Gainesville from 1958 to 1965 or the Orange Bowl losing streak from 1986 to 1994 to find similar stretches of futility against the Gators or Canes.
Three key players:
- Cade Klubnik, QB: The third-year starter hasn’t reached the heights of Deshaun Watson or Trevor Lawrence but he remains the key to Clemson’s offense. Expectations are high for him this year, with the quarterback currently sharing favorite status to win the Heisman Trophy in the eyes at Vegas, tied with LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.
- Will Heldt, DL: Clemson taking someone from the transfer portal is notable in itself. That they added a high-profile defensive lineman despite an already loaded front speaks volumes about the expectations for Heldt.
- T.J. Parker, DE: A sure-fire first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft. If Parker builds off the season he had a year ago, he will be on every All-American and defensive lineman award shortlist.
Florida State vs. Clemson: Game preview, predictions
Best Case: An FSU team that’s overachieved up to this point puts up a valiant fight, but Clemson’s talent advantage proves too much. The Noles lose a heartbreaker, but the effort is spun as a moral victory compared to the depths of last season.
Realistic Case: Clemson cruises to a comfortable win over an improved but still rebuilding Florida State squad that’s mostly just happy to have reached bowl eligibility.
Worst Case: An FSU team that has given up on the season walks into Death Valley with an interim coach and gets blown out by 4+ scores. Dabo gets to exorcise the ghosts of 2013 once again against an FSU team that shares little more than the name with the program that once haunted him.
2025 FSU football schedule
Saturday, Aug. 30: Alabama Crimson Tide (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ABC
Saturday, Sep. 6: East Texas A&M Lions (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Channel: ACC Network
Saturday, Sep. 13: BYE
Saturday, Sep. 20: Kent State Golden Flashes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Friday, Sep. 26: Virginia Cavaliers (Scott Stadium, Charlottesville)
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Channel: ESPN
Saturday, Oct. 4: Miami Hurricanes (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Saturday, Oct. 11: Pitt Panthers (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Saturday, Oct. 18: Stanford Cardinal (Stanford Stadium, Stanford)
- Time: 10:30 p.m.
- Channel: ESPN
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 1: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Clemson Tigers (Memorial Stadium, Clemson)
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia Tech Hokies (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee)
Friday, Nov. 21: NC State Wolfpack (Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh)
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Channel: ESPN
Saturday, Nov. 29: Florida Gators (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville)
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