Over the past four years, the winner of the Florida State/Clemson matchup has gone on to win the ACC and play in the College Football Playoff or BCS National Championship Game.

Each team has won a national title during that span.

All of those possibilities still remain for the fourth-ranked Tigers when the two teams kick off in "Death Valley" at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, but for the Seminoles, all they can do is spoil Clemson's party and keep their own waning bowl game hopes alive.

"I think their rise has come from their commitment to football," Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher said.  "They've been committed, but their administration has done a tremendous job of spending and doing and building.  Not just building, but all the things behind the scenes."

Florida State snapped a two-game losing streak this past weekend with a 27-24 win over Syracuse.

The Seminoles escaped a fourth quarter rally by the Orange when Derwin James (Haines City HS) blocked Cole Murphy's 43-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime.

Now, the 'Noles head to South Carolina hoping to pull off their biggest win of what's been an extremely disappointing season.

Florida State is 1-11 against defending national champions, with its only win over a reigning champ coming in 1984 over Miami.

The Tigers opened up as an 18-point favorite in Las Vegas, and they'll try to make it three consecutive victories over the 'Noles for the first time since 2005-2007.

The Seminoles nearly crushed Clemson's championship hopes a year ago when Dalvin Cook rushed for 194 yards in Tallahassee, but the Tigers prevailed to pull out a 37-34 victory.

Florida State will need a similar effort from Cook's replacement, talented freshman Cam Akers, who's coming off his best game in garnet and gold.

Akers rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns to literally carry the Seminoles to victory, earning ACC Offensive Back of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors.

FSU could also potentially get senior running back Jacques Patrick (Timber Creek HS) back for Saturday's game.

Patrick was thought to be out for the season after suffering a knee injury, but Patrick has recovered so well from surgery that he was able to return to practice this week.

Florida State will need to fight for every yard against a Clemson defense that's ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (15.1 points per game), 13th in total defense (305.2 yards per game), 20th in rushing defense (122.9 yards per game), and 21st in passing defense (182.3 points per game).

Any thoughts that Clemson would take a big step back after Deshaun Watson left for the NFL were quickly squashed by Tigers junior quarterback Kelly Bryant.

Bryant has thrown for 1,773 yards (7 TD, 5 INT) and led Clemson in rushing (548 yards, 9 TD) to push the Tigers to an 8-1 start, which includes four wins over teams that were ranked at the time Clemson played them.

"He's making throws and making plays, and he's leading them to wins," Fisher said when asked if Bryant is better than Watson was last year after scoffing at the question.  "In essence, when you say better than Deshaun Watson, he's doing the same thing.  His record is the same."

Former Tampa Bay area high school stars Deon Cain from Tampa Bay Tech (37 receptions, 440 yards, 4 TD) and Sickles High School alum Ray-Ray McCloud (34 receptions, 354 yards, TD) have been tremendous in the Clemson passing game, while Tavien Feaster (529 rushing yards, 4 TD) and Travis Etienne (520 rushing yards, 7 TD) add to Bryant's work on the ground.

Florida State will have its hands full, but James, who is coming off a tremendous game against Syracuse (interception, four passes defended, field goal block) could disrupt the synchronization of the Clemson offense.

Here's more on the Seminoles' upset bid in Death Valley:

 

KEY MATCHUP:

CLEMSON'S OFFENSIVE LINE VS. FLORIDA STATE'S FRONT FOUR

Let's face it: Florida State isn't winning a shootout against Clemson this year, which means the Seminoles will have to stop the Tigers' potent offense.

The best way to do that is to get pressure on Bryant and stuff the running game.

Fortunately for the 'Noles, they are loaded on the defensive line, although their performance hasn't matched the hype so far this year.

Sophomore defensive end Brian Burns has been a major underachiever after a fantastic freshman year, and Florida State needs him to step up big time in this game.

Josh SweatDerrick Nnadi, and Demarcus Christmas must perform at a peak level, too.

Clemson has a lot of experience on the offensive line and the talent to match it.

Beating NFL caliber junior left tackle Mitch Hyatt (ACC Lineman of the Week) to get to Kelly won't be easy.

 

X-FACTOR:

HUNTER RENFROW, CLEMSON

With all of the weapons Bryant has to work with, it's easy to have Clemson's leader in receptions, junior Hunter Renfrow, get lost in the mix.

The former walk-on has come up huge throughout his career, including his game-winning touchdown catch with no time left on the clock in Clemson's win over Alabama in the national title game in January.

He will find seams in the Seminoles defense to sit in and pick up key first down after key first down.

 

THE PICK:

CLEMSON 24, FLORIDA STATE 17

The Seminoles defense will play its most inspired game since its outstanding performance against Alabama in the season opener, but the Tigers will find a way to win on their home field.

This game will be much more exciting than you'd expect.

Unfortunately for the Seminoles, close doesn't do anything for your win total.

Fortunately, the 'Noles were able reschedule their game against University of Louisiana-Monroe that was washed out by Hurricane Irma.

Otherwise, their hopes of getting to six wins to be bowl eligible would already be gone.