Clemson @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2009 ) Florida State 24, Clemson 40

Two weeks ago, the Florida State Seminoles had few concerns about whether they would be booking a trip to Charlotte in early December, and even if they were worried, the Clemson Tigers would have been the least of their concerns.

Now both teams desperately need a win to keep their ACC title hopes alive when they meet Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Seminoles (6-3, 4-2 ACC) appeared to be in command of the Atlantic Division until back-to-back losses at N.C. State and at home against North Carolina. Now Florida State's lead is down to a half-game over N.C. State and Maryland, and Clemson is lurking a game back.

On the flip side, the Tigers' division title hopes seemingly took a big hit when they lost their first two conference games, but they have won three of their past four, including a 14-13 home win over N.C. State last week to work their way back into the picture. Those hopes are hanging by a thread, though, because a loss Saturday would eliminate the Tigers from contention.

N.C. State controls its own fate and can win the division by winning out, but the Seminoles can keep the pressure on with a win Saturday, and the Tigers -- who hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Wolfpack -- aren't out of it either.

Clemson (5-4, 3-3 ACC) stayed alive in the race despite a tumultuous week for its quarterback situation.

After being benched for redshirt freshman Tajh Boyd in the first half last week, sophomore quarterback Kyle Parker returned to lead the Tigers back from a 10-0 deficit. He finished 20-for-29 for 214 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Parker, who put off his professional baseball career to return for another season with the Tigers, has passed for 1,529 yards (169.9 per game) with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.

The pressure will remain on Parker against the Seminoles, as leading rusher Andre Ellington will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained ligament in his foot. Ellington has rushed for 686 yards (85.8 per game) and 10 touchdowns this season.

Versatile junior Jamie Harper will get another start in Ellington's absence. Harper has 383 rushing yards and four touchdowns this year, and he is also one of the team's top receivers with 18 receptions for 203 yards and team-high three touchdown catches.

The Seminoles gave up 439 passing yards in last week's 37-35 home loss to North Carolina, in which Dustin Hopkins missed a 40-yard field goal in the final seconds that would have kept Florida State in control of the division race.

Florida State has its own questions at quarterback, as Christian Ponder's status for Saturday is uncertain because of an elbow injury. Ponder had fluid drained off the elbow this week and no structural or ligament damage was revealed, but he had not practiced as of Tuesday.

Ponder averages 183 passing yards per game and has thrown 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. If he can't start, the Seminoles will go with E.J. Manual, who took over when Ponder's season was cut short by injury last year. Manual has played in three games this season, completing 16 of 23 passes for 279 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

No matter which quarterback plays for either team, they figure to face plenty of pressure. Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers leads the ACC in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (20), and Florida State's Brandon Jenkins ranks second in both categories with 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

Florida State leads the all-time series 16-7, but Clemson has won four of the past five meetings, including last year's 40-24 home win.