Gameday Guide: Clemson vs. Florida State TV details, key players, and more

Clemson, No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, hosts No. 16 Florida State in a showdown for the ACC Atlantic Division.

▪  WHO: Clemson (8-0, 5-0 ACC) vs. Florida State (7-1, 5-1 ACC)

▪  WHERE: Memorial Stadium (81,500)

▪  WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Saturday

▪  TV: ABC (Chris Fowler, play-by-play; Kirk Herbstreit, analysis; Heather Cox, sideline)

▪  RADIO: WZMJ-FM 93.1(Don Munson, Rodney Williams, Michael Palmer), Clemson Radio Network

▪  SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius 84/XM 84

▪  LINE: Clemson by 12

▪  SERIES RECORD: Florida State leads 20-8 (The Seminoles lead 8-5 at Clemson).

▪  STREAKS: Clemson has lost three games in a row, dating back to a 35-30 win in 2011.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

First place in the Atlantic Division and a likely spot in the ACC title game. The winner of this game has won the conference the past four seasons. FSU used its wins as part of resumes to reach a BCS title game and college football playoff in 2013 and 2014, and this appears to be the largest remaining roadblock on Clemson’s playoff path.

THREE GAME STORYLINES

1. Well, this is just sort of a big one. These teams have spent the past few years as heavyweights in the division, and FSU accounts for three of Clemson’s seven losses across the past three seasons. They’ve got one combined loss and are both ranked in the top 20.

2. This stands to be the final big test for the Tigers, fresh off being minted No. 1 in the first playoff rankings. The rest of the schedule is Wake Forest (3-6), Syracuse (3-5) and South Carolina (3-5). The winner of the Coastal Division projects to be solid, but it will be hard to say the Noles are any worse than the second-best foe the Tigers will face all year.

3. Who’s out first for FSU? Prolific tailback Dalvin Cook was held out last game, but his presence at practice and the stakes of the game make him a likely play despite a nagging hamstring injury. What’s more up in the air is quarterback, after Everett Golson missed the Syracuse game and Sean McGuire played well in his stead. Whoever plays will have to contend with a Clemson defense that reloaded after losing a bevy of starters and remains one of the best nationally.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH - Clemson

1. Quarterback Deshaun Watson remains the heart and soul of the Tigers offense and a Heisman contender. He shook off a slower start to be completing 70 percent of his passes with 1,949 yards, 20 scores and seven interceptions, while helping key the running game.

2. Tailback Wayne Gallman ensures the heavy lifting on the ground doesn’t rest with Watson. Gallman has hit at least 115 yards four times on the way to 861 yards and seven touchdowns.

3. Defensive end Shaq Lawson is the face of a Clemson front that allows just 4.3 yards per play. Lawson has done his part with 13 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH - FSU

1. Tailback Dalvin Cook has been the workhorse all season long. In seven games, he’s run for 1037 yards, 11 touchdowns and 8.2 yards per carry, at points putting the whole offense on his shoulders. He’s surpassed 150 yards four times and 220 twice.

2. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is an all-around force, even after moving out of the slot this season. His 28 tackles and seven passes defensed probably understate his value, and his fiery, never-shy-about-talking attitude sets a tone for the defense.

3. Wide receiver Travis Rudolph posted fairly modest numbers for most of the season, then he ripped off 191 yards and three scores on five catches against the Orange. Clemson boasts a strong, athletic pair of corners, and FSU will need all hands on deck.

ROSTERS, TEAM STATS

Roster links: Clemson | Florida State

Team Stats: Clemson | Florida State

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Gameday Guide: Clemson vs. Florida State TV details, key players, and more."