The FSU Seminoles are back in Doak Campbell Stadium this weekend for a game against the Clemson Tigers. It is an important game for Mike Norvell, with the Seminoles desperately needing a win to try to generate some momentum.
FSU had extra time to prepare for the game, being on a bye last week. It came at a needed time for them, with them now 4-3 overall and 1-3 in ACC play after losing to the Miami Hurricanes two weeks ago. While they took the Hurricanes to double overtime, they still lost, and that is not good enough at FSU.
Clemson lost to the Virginia Tech Cavaliers 20-16 and is now 4-3 overall and 2-2 in ACC play. This is just their third road game of the season, with the Tigers splitting their first two games away from Memorial Stadium.
Ahead of FSU-Clemson, ESPN's Bill Connelly predicted the final score using his SP+ metrics. Connelly has FSU picking up a 27-14 victory, snapping their two-game losing streak. His metrics give FSU a 59% chance of winning.
FSU is the No. 54 team in the SP+ team rankings after Week 8. They have an overall rating of 57.9, with a 58.7 rating on offense and a 1.1 rating on defense. Clemson is the No. 55 team and features a 56.8 overall rating. They have a 49.3 offensive rating and a -7.0 defensive rating.
The game between FSU and Clemson is set to start at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday in Doak Campbell Stadium. The game will air on the ACC Network.
FSU football 2026 schedule
- Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State Aggies, FSU wins 34-17
- Sept. 7: vs. SMU Mustangs, FSU loses 27-24
- Sept. 19: at Alabama Crimson Tide, FSU loses 50-36
- Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, FSU wins 34-7
- Oct. 3: vs. Virginia Cavaliers, FSU wins 38-7
- Oct. 9: at Louisville Cardinals, FSU loses 44-10
- Oct. 17: at Miami Hurricanes, FSU loses 43-35
- Oct. 31: vs. Clemson Tigers, 7 p.m., ACC Network
- Nov. 7: at Boston College Eagles, Noon, ACC Network
- Nov. 13: at Pitt Panthers, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Nov. 21: vs. NC State Wolfpack, TBA
- Nov. 27: vs. Florida Gators, 3:30 p.m., ABC
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: ESPN predicts final score of FSU vs. Clemson in Week 9