This Saturday night reigning Champs and No. 1 Florida State took on the No. 22 Clemson Tigers, and the Seminoles were favored by SBG Global at -20 1/2. As the game progressed, they seemed destined to lose without Heisman QB Jameis Winston who had been suspended for the game.
Regarding the suspension of one game for FSU Heisman QB Winston, Coach Fisher said, “At the end of the day we felt the one game made the most sense. I chose to keep that process internal. Now he’s served that punishment and he’s ready to move forward. You never know at the pace that kids learn or why they make mistakes. Our hope and belief is that Jameis will learn from this and use better judgment.”
Florida State Winston was replaced by Sean Maguire who went along with the ups and downs of the game and managed to exit with the 23-17 overtime victory as Winston paced the sidelines with street close and a ball cap. In his collegiate career Maguire had only had the opportunity to throw some 26 passes and now would be facing a Clemson team and conference rival in the game that in the past five years has sent the winner to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.
The strong Tigers defense line was all about pressuring the in-experienced FSU QB Maguire who was able to complete 21 of his 39 passes for 305 total yards, with two interceptions and a 74 yard TD to Greene which tied the game with 6:04 left in the fourth quarter. Green finished the game with 9 receptions and a high 135 yards.
The things we’re not going well for Florida State and QB Maguire as the Clemson Tigers intercepted the Seminoles and now at the ball in Seminole territory with just 2:14 left in the fourth quarter. On the very next play Clemson ran the ball and Tiger RB Davidson was stripped of the ball by FSU Goldman and now FSU had the ball with 1:36 left in the game and chose to go for overtime and ran out the clock with the score tied at 17-17. Actually, QB Maguire passing was at its best in the fourth quarter when it mattered most and he threw for 140 yards averaging some 10.8 yards per attempt.
The Clemson Tigers last problematic move came in OT after Florida State won the toss but chose to let Clemson have the first shot at scoring from the 25 yard line and after three offensive plays that were stopped by the Seminole defense, the Clemson Coach Swinney decided not to attempt a 33 yard field goal. Then with 4th and 1 yard Tiger RB Choice was stopped for no gain. Now FSU took the ball on the 25 for their chance to score in overtime and on the first play FSU passed for 13 yards and a first down and on the next play RB Williams bounced outside for a 12 yard and a TD with the score now 23-17 and the Seminoles take the victory at home in OT for the Florida State University school record of 19 straight wins dating back to 2012.
So you fans that bet on NCAA football at an online sportsbook or a local bookmaker, it will be interesting to see how the AP Top 25 will stack up next week, since No. 1 FSU squeaks a win over No. 20 Clemson in OT 23-17, and No. 2 Oregon holds off unranked Washington State 38-31, No. 3 Alabama crushes unranked Florida 38-31, No. 4 Texas A&M routs unranked West Virginia 45-33 and No. 5 Auburn beats No. 20 Kansas State 20-14 in a close game.