PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Cam Akers is coming off his best outing of the season last week against Wake Forest, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Akers has been the workhorse this season in the backfield, but with the Seminoles getting behind in several games, the run game has suffered. Akers leads the team in rushing yards (465) and rushing touchdowns (three).
–P Logan Tyler and PK Ricky Aguayo could be key factors in Saturday’s game. Aguayo’s accuracy has been on point recently, and any points against a defense like Clemson’s will be a plus. Tyler is valuable for Florida State in this match in a number of ways, including making several touchdown-saving tackles on special teams this season as the last line of defense. Tyler also handles kickoff duties, and keeping Clemson’s talented kick returners from ever getting a chance will be key. And Tyler is even Florida State’s long-range kicker, so if the Seminoles need, say, a 56-yarder to win the game Saturday, they’re turning to Tyler for that kick.
–The Florida State offensive line — Brady Scott, Alec Eberle, Derrick Kelly, Cole Minshew and Mike Arnold — played well against Wake Forest by not allowing a sack. That’s only happened one other time this year, but it’s a great sign for a unit that’s struggled all year to protect quarterback Deondre Francois.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida State leads the all-time series against Clemson 20-11, but the Tigers have won the last three meetings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I appreciate everybody. It means a lot to me.” — Florida State defensive end Janarius Robinson, a native of Panama City whose family lost their home in Hurricane Michael, on the outpouring of emotional and financial support following the storm
