Dabo Swinney emphasizes the need to win the turnover battle vs. Florida State

If Clemson doesn’t win the turnover battle against Florida State, they won’t win. And that’s not just penny-ante analysis — Dabo Swinney said it.

Ahead of something of a gut-check game for Clemson and a test for Florida State as a true national title contender in Death Valley, Swinney emphasized the need for his team to come out a possession or two ahead. Otherwise, it could get ugly.

“Yeah, we have no chance against Florida State if we can’t win the turnover margin. We have zero chance. I mean we can’t beat hardly anybody when you lose the turnover margin. That’s the greatest equalizer in football, is poor ball security,” Swinney said.

So far this season, the Clemson offense has been anything but a juggernaut. The Tigers have put up some big point totals, but against inferior competition and often with short fields and with a grinding rushing attack.

Absent some unexpected outburst from the passing game, the best way for Clemson to get some quick scores and steal a possession or two from the Seminoles will be turnovers.

Right now, Clemson is No. 45 nationally in turnover margin, sitting at plus one with seven takeaways and six giveaways. Three of those giveaways came in Week 1, and the number has gone down each week. Additionally, the Tigers created four turnovers in Week 3 in a win over Florida Atlantic.

It gives Swinney hope the Tigers can get it done in the turnover battle in a pivotal matchup.

“So, it’s good to be able to have a game like this because it creates confidence and hopefully we can put a few weeks together. And we’re creating turnovers,” Swinney said. “That’s three games in a row we’ve been getting them, so I’m really proud of our defense. Defense is playing really well for us right now, but certainly would be the biggest challenge yet this week with a really, really good group, veteran group, dynamic quarterback, great receivers, big-time back and they have a good tight end.”

Clemson will be shorthanded on the offensive line Saturday

Clemson will be down a starting offensive lineman for Saturday’s showdown with Florida State as right guard Walker Parks will miss the matchup, a school spokesperson confirmed on Friday.

“Coach has confirmed Walker will be unavailable Saturday with his lower-body injury,” a spokesperson said.

Parks started the first two games of the season but was injured Week 2 against Charleston Southern. He did not play last week against FAU and will also miss Saturday’s game against No. 4 Florida State.

With Parks out last week, Mitchell Mayes started at right guard against FAU and played 43 snaps in Clemson’s 48-14 win.

Walker Parks started all 13 games for Clemson in 2021 and started all 13 games he appeared in last season. He was banged up during fall camp but was healthy enough to start in the opener against Duke.