When was the last time that Florida State was a 14.5 point UNDERDOG at HOME? The answer is NEVER! But this week, Clemson and is a gigantic double digit favorite when they fly into Tallahassee for this ACC matchup. Why the large number? Maybe because the Seminoles are horrible at 1-4 and just gave up 42 points to SMU. And maybe because the Tigers are roaring at 3-1 and just whacked Stanford, 40-14.

Clemson vs. Florida State odds

Odds as of Oct. 1 at FanDuel

Clemson vs. Florida State pick – Week 5

Clemson -14.5 (-102)

Stunning is the only word I have for the rise and fall of Florida State. Last season, the Seminoles were perfect at 13-0 until they were SMUSHED by Georgia in the Orange Bowl 63-3. They HAVE NOT recovered.

Of course, FSU lost its starting QB Jordan Travis who had a monster season (207/324, 2,756 yards, 20 TDs, 2 INTs) and was 5th in the Heisman voting. Head coach Mike Norvell handed the keys to the Ferrari to DJ Uiagalelei and he turned it into a freakin' Ford Escort. Not sure what Norvell was thinking, maybe he wasn't.

DJ had three so-so years at Clemson and one kinda okay season at Oregon State. And if you think Uiagalelei is gonna do something special against his former team, as my uncle Vinny Two Toes in Brooklyn says, FUGGEDABOUTIT! DJ has completed only 53% of his passes, with just 4 TDs but SIX INTs. State gave up 42 points to SMU last week and it could be just as ugly on Saturday in Tallahassee.

Gotta tell you a little about the other QB, Clemson's Cade Klubnik. After a rough opener against Georgia, a 34-3 loss, Klubnik has been CRAZY good. Cade is hitting passes at a 70% clip and has 12 TDs against only 1 INT in the last three games. And if it's points you're looking for, you have come to the right offense. Clemson had 66 against Appalachian State, 59 against NC State and 40 against Stanford.

After that opening loss to Georgia, everyone was ready to get off the Dabo Swinney train. Dabo's Tigers lost four games last season for the first time in over a decade, and people were not sure if Klubnik was the answer. Well, he AIN'T Allen Iverson, but Cade has had all the answers so far.

And we heard the Klubnik was on a 2024 revenge tour, looking to extract his pound of flesh from teams that he lost to in 2023. The first chance came in week three against NC State. The Wolfpack beat Clemson last season 24-17, and the Tigers paid back the favor, smoking the Pack, 59-35. Cade was 16-of-24 for 209 yards, with 3 TDs and ZERO INTs

Last week, we cashed our college bet with a double digit underdog (Illinois) but this week, we're all over a double digit favorite. Normally we try to stay away from double digit favs, but when you look at Florida State's numbers, there is no stay away. FSU ranks No. 125 in total offense, No. 92 in total defense. Bank of Benj is wide open for Dabo and the Tigers.

Clemson vs. Florida State betting trends