Clemson Tigers Prepare for Must-Win Game Against Florida State

CLEMSON, S.C. — The Clemson Tigers are seeking to salvage a disappointing season when they host the Florida State Seminoles at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. With a record of 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the conference, the Tigers face a pivotal moment in their 2025 college football campaign.

A victory against Florida State, currently sitting at 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the ACC, would extend Clemson’s dominance in the rivalry, having won nine of the last ten matchups. The last time these two teams met, Clemson emerged victorious with a 29-13 win in Tallahassee.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is coming off a strong performance, where he threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow 46-45 loss to Duke last week. He completed 27 of 36 passes and connected with wide receiver Antonio Williams for 142 yards. Clemson also gathered 175 yards on the ground, with contributions from senior Adam Randall and true freshman Gideon Davidson.

Florida State snapped a four-game losing streak with a convincing 42-7 win against Wake Forest. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos threw for 271 yards and ran for a touchdown, boosting morale as the Seminoles look to build momentum.

The upcoming match will be broadcasted nationally on the ACC Network, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET. Radio coverage will also be available through the Clemson Athletic Network, featuring Don Munson, Tim Bourret, and Reggie Merriweather calling the plays.

As both teams struggle with inconsistencies this season, the stakes are high. Clemson’s failure to secure home victories over Power Four opponents since October 2024 has added pressure, particularly on head coach Dabo Swinney, who faces the toughest season of his tenure. “This game means everything for our pride and for our season,” Swinney said. “We need to get back on track.”

Florida State will be challenged as they have yet to win on the road this season, making this contest critical for securing bowl eligibility. The Seminoles lead the all-time series against the Tigers but have found recent success elusive against Clemson.

In preparation for the game, FSU coach Mike Norvell emphasized the importance of capitalizing on opportunities and minimizing mistakes. “We’ve made strides, but we need to maintain our focus,” Norvell stated.

With both teams desperate for a win to revive their seasons, this matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter.