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FSU vs. Clemson betting odds had the Tigers with a line of -2.5 and the total was coming in at 49.5.
No. 11 Florida State will likely be without QB E.J. Manuel (shoulder) when it plays its ACC opener at No. 21 Clemson on Saturday.
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Redshirt freshman Clint Trickett flashed some promise in relief on Manuel against No. 1 Oklahoma last week, but finished with middling numbers (7-for-15, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). Clemson ended Auburn’s 17-game winning streak by taking advantage of a leaky Auburn defense, racking up 624 yards of offense, the third-highest total in school history. The Seminoles defense will give them a much stiffer challenge. FSU held Oklahoma’s high-powered passing game to 199 yards in its 23-13 defeat. Clemson is 12-7 ATS (63%) in its past 19 conference games, while the Seminoles are 6-11 ATS (35%) in ACC play over the past two seasons.
Manuel has a sprain on his non-throwing shoulder and an MRI showed no structural damage. He is listed as doubtful for the trip to Clemson. The Seminoles receiving corps is also dealing with multiple injuries, as Jarred Haggins is out 4-to-6 weeks with a broken left hand and Kenny Shaw suffered a head-on collision in last week’s game. Bert Reed did not play against Oklahoma due to a sprained ankle and Willie Haulstead is still suffering from concussion symptoms and hasn’t played yet this year. The ground game has also been bitten by the injury bug, as Chris Thompson is trying to overcome a stress fracture in his back. Thompson, who had 845 rushing yards last year, has only gained 45 yards on 17 attempts (2.6 YPC) this season. Defensively, the Seminoles have been sound, ranking fifth in the country in yardage (195 YPG) and 13th in tackles for loss (8.3 per game).
There is no trouble with the play of Clemson’s quarterback, Tajh Boyd. He was 30-of-42 for 386 yards and 4 TD last week, giving him 911 yards, 10 TD and 1 INT in three games. He connected with freshman Sammy Watkins 10 times for 155 yards and 2 TD. The Tigers also have a key offensive injury as leading rusher Andre Ellington suffered a hamstring injury last week. Ellington (300 rush yds, 5.6 YPC) is expected to play against the Seminoles, but if he’s limited, freshman D.J. Howard proved his worth last week with 86 yards on nine carries. The biggest worry for the Tigers is their porous front seven on defense that is allowing 225 rushing YPG (110th in nation) and tallying just 3.3 TFL per game (tied for sixth-fewest in FBS).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
