Manuel has missed practice time all week with a sprain in the AC joint of his left, non-throwing shoulder. He fell awkwardly on the shoulder after being tackled at the end of a run against the Sooners. An MRI revealed no damage to the shoulder. If Manuel can’t go, as many expect, redshirt freshman Clint Trickett will make his first start. Trickett has appeared in all three of FSU’s games so far. Trickett has four touchdowns, a 61 percent completion rating, a passer efficiency rating of 222.78 and an average 103.3 passing yards per game. He led FSU to a tying score against Oklahoma before the Sooners pulled away.

FSU (2-1) might rely on the running game a bit more under Trickett. The Seminoles haven’t been good in that area as they rank No. 100 in the nation in rushing offense at 96.33 yards per game. Clemson’s defense, though, has struggled to stop the run this season.

Clemson is 3-0 for the first time since 2007. Last week, they fell down 21-7 to Auburn but rallied to win 38-24. Sophomore QB Tajh Boyd had a monster game, going 30 of 42 for 386 yards and four touchdowns. The Tigers have one of the nation’s most exciting freshmen in WR Sammy Watkins. Against Auburn, Watkins caught 10 passes for 155 yards and two TDs and added 44 yards rushing.

This game is huge because the winner will have the upper hand in a potential tiebreaker in the ACC Atlantic Division. FSU hasn’t won in Death Valley since 2001.

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