Clemson returned to Death Valley to take on Florida State in a game that would send the Tigers to the ACC Championship game with a Tiger victory. Preseason hype on FSU had them vying for the national championship, but something beyond the loss of their starting QB in the season opener has affected the Noles this year, and they came into Death Valley with an uncharacteristic 3-5 record. Given the talent on their team, however, no one should have come into this game expecting the Noles to just roll over and give the Tigers the win.
FSU won the toss and deferred, and Travis Etienne returned the kickoff to the 15.