The Clemson Tigers won their biggest game of the season on Saturday afternoon, knocking off the #16 Florida State Seminoles 23-13 to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division title. Here are three things we learned from the Tigers' impressiver performance:
3) Deshaun Watson plays his best in big games
Clemson's offense had their worst game of the season as they weren't able to utilize their speed (for the most part) against Florida State's defensive athletes, but they were still able to consistently move the ball behind Watson's performance. He passed for 297 yards and a touchdown to go along with 107 rushing yards, accounting for XX percent of Clemson's total offense in this one - and they needed every bit of it.
2) The defense is as good as advertised
Clemson's defense has been one of the best in the country all season, but finding a way to stop FSU running back Dalvin Cook and all of the Seminoles' athletes on the outside was their toughest test to date - and they passed it with flying colors. Outside of a 75-yard TD run Cook had on Florida State's first play of the game, the Tigers were able to hold the 'Noles in check, limiting them to just 287 total yards after that run and a lousy 2/12 mark on third down.
1) Clemson should make the College Football Playoff
Even though they still have three more regular season games to play and the ACC Championship Game, FSU was the last big road block standing between Clemson and an undefeated regular season. Syracuse, Wake Forest, and South Carolina await the Tigers, none of whom have a winning record. Then they'll probabaly face North Carolina in the ACC title game, who have only beaten one team with a winning record this season. The opportunity is there for Clemson to go undefeated, and they should take it easily.