Florida State football, recruiting news: FSU has Clemson on upset alert

Football:

• Could Florida State pull off the upset against Clemson on Saturday? Andrea Andelson of ESPN put the Clemson Tigers on high alert.

Let's get the history out of the way first. The Seminoles are 11-1 against Clemson in Tallahassee over the last 25 years, with the only loss coming in 2006. Dabo Swinney has never won there as a head coach, but this is the best team he has taken into Doak Campbell Stadium. Though the Tigers have looked shaky at times, they remain one of the league leaders on offense and defense. Florida State, meanwhile, has played much better defensively over its last two games. The contest could very well be decided on red-zone performance. Clemson's 58-percent red zone efficiency this season ranks 89th in the FBS. The Tigers had two turnovers in the red zone all of last season. Through seven games this year, they already have four. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the only FBS schools with more are East Carolina, SMU and New Mexico State.

• Clemson LB Ben Boulware talked about FSU WR Travis Rudolph regarding his effort and interaction with children that have disabilities. Rudolph has been nationally known for when he sat down with Bo Paske earlier this season, a child with autism who was eating lunch alone, when the team visited the school.

"We have such a big platform as student-athletes and especially playing at schools like we do at Clemson and Florida State. For him, it wasn't a big deal or a courageous act. He just saw a kid by himself that was lonely. The fact that he spent 20 minutes with a young kid, I thought it was awesome. I think it showed his true character."

• Everyone knows that Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is a threat through the air, however, David Hale of ESPN believes Watson could unleash his ground attack against Florida State.

Recruiting:

• 2018, five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas will be visiting Tallahassee for the FSU vs. Clemson game. The Florence, South Carolina native is ranked the No. 2 overall player in the class, and No. 1 defensive end according to 247 composite rankings.

Alumni: