ACC Football

The Clemson Tigers will face their fifth different opponent in five years in the 2019 ACC Championship Game. 

The Virginia Cavaliers are the latest challenger to emerge from the ACC Coastal Division. They are searching for the Coastal's first win in the event since Virginia Tech in 2010. 

Clemson has won four ACC titles in a row and five in the last eight years. Florida State won three in a row from 2012-2014. 

Dabo Swinney's team is the heavy favorite since it steamrolled through the majority of its conference slate and is one win away from qualifying for the College Football Playoff. 

                 

ACC Championship Game Info

Date: Saturday, December 7

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET 

TV: ABC 

           

Preview

Clemson is billed as the favorite due to its four-year reign atop the ACC and the dominant nature of its last seven performances. 

The Tigers beat their final six conference foes by a combined score of 315-58 and finished off the regular season with a 38-3 triumph over rival South Carolina. 

During that stretch, Trevor Lawrence threw for at least three touchdowns in each game and has not been intercepted in the last five contests. 

Before turning in a 51-yard performance Saturday, Travis Etienne strung together six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. 

The offense is backed up by the FBS' third-best scoring defense that allows 10.7 points per game. 

In November, the Tigers let up three touchdowns, and they have allowed one end zone trip in the last three contests to NC State, Wake Forest and South Carolina. 

Virginia's defense has been far from dominant, as it gave up 116 points in four November contests. Clemson allowed 121 points all season. 

In Friday's division-clinching win over Virginia Tech, the Cavaliers conceded 483 total yards, but they did force four turnovers. 

Earning takeaways and setting up Bryce Perkins with a short field is the best-case scenario for Bronco Mendenhall's team. 

However, Clemson won the turnover battle in its last two ACC triumphs, which were blowouts of Miami and Pittsburgh. 

In 2015 and 2016, North Carolina and Virginia Tech earned more takeaways and remained within one possession of the Tigers. 

Virginia owns 11 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. Safety Joey Blount has three picks, a fumble recovery and 3.5 sacks. 

If Blount can make a big play or two against Clemson's talented wide receiver group, Virginia could keep the game close. 

But the outcome depends on how effective Perkins can be in both aspects of the offense. In addition to throwing for 2,949 yards, he is the team's top rusher with 687 yards. 

Against Virginia Tech, the senior quarterback went 20-for-33 in the air for 311 yards and scrambled for 164 yards on 19 carries. 

Achieving success versus the Clemson defense is a much more difficult task, and this is the first time Perkins will face the Tigers. 

Clemson's front seven is not as dominant as it was a year ago, but it still carries a ton of talent, starting with leading tackler Isaiah Simmons, who has 74 tackles and five sacks. 

If the Tigers limit Perkins' ground advances, they should put enough pressure on him to force third-down stops and get off the field in a quick manner. 

That would allow Lawrence, Etienne, Tee Higgins and others to march down the field and create separation before halftime. 

                  

Prediction

Clemson 49, Virginia 21

Clemson's last two ACC Championship Game victories were sealed by halftime. 

In their last three conference title bouts, the Tigers put up 14 first-quarter points, and they have had at least 21 by halftime in each of the last four championship tilts. 

Clemson has allowed two double-digit quarters, one to North Carolina in 2015 and the other to Virginia Tech in 2016, since its reign atop the ACC began. 

That does not bode well for Virginia, which used a fast start to get ahead of Virginia Tech on Saturday. 

If Perkins is ineffective for stretches, the Cavaliers may not be able to keep up with Clemson, which I predict will land a playoff spot with a victory.

                    

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

Penn State head coach James Franklin is happy in Happy Valley.

"I'm hoping this thing is going to be over very quick, but, like I told you, I love Penn State," Franklin told reporters in regard to rumors he is a candidate for Florida State's head coaching vacancy. "I love our players. I don't see that changing anytime soon."

The No. 10 Nittany Lions defeated Rutgers 27-6 on Saturday to finish the season 10-2.

247Sports' Brendan Sonnone reported Tuesday that Franklin is Florida State's "top candidate" to replace Willie Taggart, who was fired Nov. 3.

Sonnone also reported "mutual interest" between Franklin and Florida State on FM 96.9 The Game and added that Franklin's representatives reached out to FSU before the university hired Taggart ahead of the 2018 season.

It's tough to see why Franklin would want to leave Penn State.

Penn State hired Franklin in January 2014. Since then, the Nittany Lions have gone 55-23 and appeared in a bowl game each year.

Franklin's signature victory came when Penn State beat Washington in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, but he has led the program to two New Year's Six bowl appearances and narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff in 2016.

The Nittany Lions are expected to play on New Year's Day again this season. They were firmly in the conversation for the CFP until they lost 31-26 to No. 8 Minnesota on Nov. 9. Penn State's only other loss came against No. 1 Ohio State last weekend.

Franklin has a track record of building programs. Penn State hired him away from Vanderbilt after he had led the Commodores to three straight bowl games and a 24-15 record from 2011-13.

Sonnone also told FM 96.9 The Game that Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell "makes the most sense" for Florida State. On Nov. 23, SportsLine listed Campbell as the odds-on favorite for the job at +200 with Franklin fifth at +1200.

The No. 3 Clemson Tigers took another step toward the College Football Playoff on Saturday with a 38-3 road win over the rival South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

Clemson improved to 12-0 on the season with the win, and it is just a victory over Virginia in next week's ACC Championship Game away from clinching a CFP berth. South Carolina fell to 4-8 in defeat, wrapping up a disappointing season that did not result in a bowl appearance.

The win was Clemson's sixth in a row over South Carolina in the Palmetto Bowl.

Sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence was the star of the show for Clemson, and he appears to be peaking at the right time after struggling early in the campaign.

The Clemson defense also did a number on South Carolina, surrendering just 174 yards of total offense and nine first downs.

       

Notable Stats

Trevor Lawrence, QB, CLEM: 26-of-36, 295 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT; 8 CAR, 66 YDS

Travis Etienne, RB, CLEM: 15 CAR, 51 YDS, 2 TD; 3 REC, 37 YDS

Tee Higgins, WR, CLEM: 3 REC, 101 YDS, 2 TD

Justyn Ross, WR, CLEM: 9 REC, 111 YDS, 1 TD

Ryan Hilinski, QB, SC: 16-of-27, 105 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT

Tavien Feaster, RB, SC: 12 CAR, 47 YDS; 4 REC, 8 YDS

Shi Smith, WR, SC: 5 REC for 40 YDS

        

Tigers Hitting Their Stride at Perfect Time with CFP Approaching

Clemson began the season as the No. 1 team in the nation, and although some uneven performances early in the campaign allowed the likes of Ohio State and LSU to surpass the Tigers, head coach Dabo Swinney has his team playing its best football of the season.

The Tigers crushed the Gamecocks in every facet Saturday, but the most impressive aspect of the win was undoubtedly Lawrence's efficiency.

During Clemson's win, Lawrence set a school record for the most consecutive completions in a single game with 16:

The four-yard completion to J.C. Chalk earlier in the drive was Trevor Lawrence's 16th consecutive completion, breaking Cullen Harper (15 vs. Central Michigan in 2007) and Kelly Bryant's (15 vs. Miami in 2017) school record for consecutive completions in a single game. #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/2zaZ29mVv9

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 30, 2019

That record was made even more impressive by the fact that Lawrence wasn't simply playing the dink-and-dunk game. He made big plays down the field to wide receivers Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross, including this 65-yard bomb to Higgins:

Trevor Lawrence let this one fly 😲 pic.twitter.com/IA1pRnVeGm

— ESPN (@espn) November 30, 2019

Since throwing a pair of interceptions in the first half against Louisville on Oct. 19, Lawrence has thrown 19 touchdowns and no interceptions, and he is resembling the player who picked apart Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game last season.

Former CBS Sports college football reporter Jon Solomon suggested Clemson will be a scary team to run into during the CFP with Lawrence firing on all cylinders:

Remember when Trevor Lawrence was struggling in 2019? Seems like years ago. No one wants to play Clemson in the CFP semifinal. Better grab the No. 1 seed, LSU or Ohio State.

— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomon35) November 30, 2019

Lawrence has been aided by the fact that he boasts perhaps the best wide receiver duo in college football.

Both Higgins and Ross had their way with the South Carolina secondary Saturday, and Higgins made program history with his second consecutive season of at least 10 touchdown grabs:

Not a bad first half for #Clemson's Tee Higgins: 3 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TDs. Higgins, who had 12 TD catches in 2018, has 10 this season, making him the first player in school history to have double-digit TD catches in consecutive seasons. pic.twitter.com/eYjT0JATc6

— Scott Keepfer (@ScottKeepfer) November 30, 2019

Clemson didn't need to have a huge day on the ground in order to beat South Carolina, but that didn't stop running back Travis Etienne from producing.

Etienne's yardage total was modest, but his two rushing touchdowns made him the all-time ACC record holder with 53, surpassing Pitt's James Conner.

The Tigers showed Saturday that they can beat teams in a multitude of ways offensively, plus their defense continued to roll and has given up more than 14 points in a game just once this season.

Clemson will be a massive favorite in the ACC Championship Game, and it will have plenty of incentive to win big in hopes of claiming the No. 1 spot in the CFP rankings.

Since two of Ohio State, LSU and Clemson figure to be Nos. 2 and 3, the top-ranked team will have a huge advantage in the semifinals. Even if Clemson is unable to claim the No. 1 spot, though, it has a legitimate chance to repeat as national champions given how complete the team has shown itself to be recently.

      

What's Next?

Clemson will look to win its fifth straight conference title when it faces Virginia in next week's ACC Championship Game.

Meanwhile, South Carolina will look ahead to next season, as it missed out on a bowl berth for the first time since 2015 and just the second time since 2008.

Trevor Lawrence and the No. 3 Clemson Tigers cruised to a 52-3 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Lawrence suffered a brief injury scare during the first half after a hit to the head. He remained in the game, however.

The sophomore star had an efficient day, completing 21 of 27 pass attempts for 272 yards and four touchdowns.

         

Notable Performances

Clemson

QB Trevor Lawrence: 21-of-27, 272 yards, four touchdowns

RB Travis Etienne: 16 carries, 121 yards, one touchdown; three catches, 37 yards

WR Tee Higgins: four catches, 64 yards, three touchdowns

           

Clemson Finishes Conference Slate in Dominant Fashion

Clemson's strength of schedule has been a major talking point, but the Tigers had little trouble in one of their toughest tests.

Wake Forest has been ranked in the Top 25 on a few occasions in 2019, with its most recent appearance lasting until a 36-17 loss at Virginia Tech last week.

Still, the Demon Deacons have been a respectable squad. And Clemson faced little resistance.

Dabo Swinney's team was ready to play in all three phases. The defense forced a three-and-out on the game's opening drive, Amari Rodgers provided terrific field position with a 53-yard punt return, and Lawrence and Co. needed just three plays to find the end zone.

TREVOR ➡️ TEE x 3️⃣@ClemsonFB's Tee Higgins has a career-high 3 receiving TDs today ... and it's only halftime 👀 pic.twitter.com/DlCWjn3I79

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) November 16, 2019

The Tigers came up with an interception on the first play of the Demon Deacons' second drive. That set the table for Travis Etienne, as the star running back carried the offense 41 yards to the end zone on four attempts.

Storming on into the endzone 🚨 @swaggy_t1 #ALLIN | #WAKEvsCLEM pic.twitter.com/aQ5cQfoQ9u

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 16, 2019

Through the first five minutes and five seconds of the game, the Tigers offense ran just seven plays...and scored two touchdowns. At that point, the rout was on.

Clemson has scored 40-plus points in nine of its 11 games, including six in a row since a 21-20 victory over North Carolina on Sept. 28. 

Clemson has now scored 45 points in six consecutive games for the first time in school history. The streak matches Florida State's 2013 squad for the longest streak of 45-point games in ACC history.

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 16, 2019

The defense has continued to dominate. The Tigers have not allowed more than 14 points in a game since they faced the Tar Heels, allowing an average of 9.7 points over their last six contests.

Clemson has won 21 consecutive ACC games since October 2017. 

        

What's Next

Clemson (11-0) will be off until Nov. 30, when it hits the road for a clash against the South Carolina Gamecocks. That in-state rivalry game will mark the final regular-season contest for the Tigers.

Wake Forest (7-3) will return home to host the Duke Blue Devils on Nov. 23.

Florida State has reportedly removed former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops from its list of coaching candidates after speaking with his representatives. 

Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat reported the update Friday after Stoops, who currently serves as the general manager and head coach of the XFL's Dallas Renegades, told ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit last week rumors about him taking the Seminoles job were inaccurate.

Florida State fired Willie Taggart on Nov. 3 following a loss to rival Miami. One day later, Alison Posey of WTXL reported a deal between Stoops and FSU was "really close to being done."

The 59-year-old Ohio native was quick to push aside the speculation, however, and appears committed to the XFL ahead of its debut season in 2020. He retired from college football in June 2017.

Florida State was one college football's premier programs in the 1990s and returned to the national championship stage in 2013 by defeating Auburn in the BCS title game.

The Seminoles success continued with a 33-7 mark under Jimbo Fisher over the next three years, but they've gone just 17-18 over the past three seasons. Fisher resigned in December 2017 to accept the Texas A&M job and was replaced by Taggart.

Wayne McGahee III of the Tallahassee Democrat listed Iowa State's Matt Campbell, Minnesota's P.J. Fleck, Penn State's James Franklin and Memphis' Mike Norvell as the school's "Tier 1 targets."

While the search continues, Florida State faces a suddenly important game against FCS opponent Alabama State. FSU stands one win away from bowl eligibility, but can't afford a shocking upset against the Hornets with a road game against No. 11 Florida looming in the regular-season finale.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Clemson extended its winning streak to 25 games with a 55-10 victory over NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday.

The Tigers led 28-0 after one quarter, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence accounting for three of those scores (one running, two passing). Running back Travis Etienne, who caught a four-yard Lawrence pass for a touchdown, also ran one into the end zone from 19 yards out.

Clemson then grabbed a 42-0 halftime edge because of a John Simpson one-yard run and another Lawrence touchdown toss, this time to Justyn Ross from 33 yards.

4️⃣0️⃣3️⃣ total yards
8️⃣.8️⃣ avg. yards per play
2️⃣1️⃣ first downs

SO FAR.#ALLIN | #CLEMvsNCST pic.twitter.com/6BB0gpvTko

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 10, 2019

The Tigers took their foot off the gas after halftime as they cruised to their 10th win this season.

Clemson, which outgained NC State 549-290 from scrimmage, entered the evening fifth in the College Football Playoff standings. A move into the Top Three is inevitable after No. 3 Alabama fell to No. 2 LSU at home and No. 4 Penn State lost to No. 17 Minnesota on the road.

The 10-0 Tigers are now 7-0 in the ACC. NC State, which has lost three straight games, fell to 4-5 (1-4 in ACC play).

                    

Notable Performances

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence: 20-of-27, 276 passing yards, 3 TD; 8 carries, 59 yards, 1 TD

Clemson RB Travis Etienne: 14 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD; 3 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD

Clemson WR Justyn Ross: 4 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD

Clemson WR Tee Higgins: 4 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD

NC State QB Devin Leary: 14-of-29, 166 yards

NC State RB Zonovan Knight: 12 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD

NC State TE Cary Angeline: 2 catches, 53 yards

      

Travis Etienne Continues Scorching-Hot Pace

These are Etienne's rushing numbers in four games from Weeks 2 through 5: 55 carries, 257 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

These are Etienne's rushing numbers in the four games immediately afterward: 58 rushes, 640 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Whatever slump that Etienne worked through in the beginning of the season is a distant memory as he's reassumed his place as one of the country's best running backs.

He once again shined on Saturday thanks to 14 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns in addition to three receptions for 31 yards and another touchdown.

The day was a historic one for Etienne, who set the school record for most career touchdowns:

Travis Etienne finds the endzone ❗ Etienne is now Clemson's sole record holder for total touchdowns with 52 😤#ALLIN | #CLEMvsNCST pic.twitter.com/hW3GU87kuN

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 10, 2019

He'll also set the Clemson record for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games with six if he can cross the century mark again:

With his 5️⃣th straight 100-yard rushing game, Etienne tied the school record for consecutive 100-yard rushing games set by Kenny Flowers and Raymond Priester.#ALLIN | #CLEMvsNCST pic.twitter.com/4xx7B5kC1f

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 10, 2019

Clemson once had a two-headed rushing attack called "Thunder & Lightning," featuring the powerful James Davis and the speedy C.J. Spiller.

Head coach Dabo Swinney gave Etienne the ultimate compliment earlier this year, saying that he was "thunder" and "lightning" all in one, per Matt Connolly of the Charlotte Observer.

The Tigers may have been fifth in the CFP rankings following a slow start that included a sluggish win over Texas A&M and a near-loss to UNC, but that placement will be a distant memory thanks to Etienne, who is in peak form at the right time as Clemson looks to close out its second straight undefeated season.

     

What's Next?

Clemson will host No. 19 Wake Forest on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Tigers will clinch a spot in the ACC Championship Game with a victory.

The Wolfpack will welcome Louisville into Raleigh on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has given Deion Sanders a ringing endorsement to become Florida State's next head football coach amid rumors the school is looking at the Pro Football Hall of Famer. 

Appearing on 105.3 The Fan's The K&C Masterpiece, Jones explained why Sanders has what it takes to become a successful head coach: 

"I've actually watched him coach. I've watched him work with younger players in the pros and he's outstanding. He has all the credibility that you could ever imagine, both from knowing what he's talking about, plus the sensitivity or the perception that he has with people skills. 

"He's really good and he generates excitement. So, with that energy package he's got, along with his understanding of how to maximize your talent ... I think he can coach that. He'd be a great coach."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Sanders has "emerged as a candidate" to become Florida State's next coach. 

The Seminoles are in the market for a permanent head coach after firing Willie Taggart, who went 9-12 since the start of 2018. Their 5-7 record last season ended the school's 36-year streak of playing in a bowl game. 

Sanders is a significant part of that bowl legacy at Florida State. He was a star athlete at the university from 1985-88 in football, baseball and track. The school retired his No. 2 football jersey, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Jones has a relationship with Sanders from Primetime's five seasons with the Cowboys from 1995-99 that includes a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. 

Since retiring from the NFL, Sanders has worked as a television analyst for the NFL Network and has spent the past two years working as an offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill in Texas, where his sons play football. 

  

Amid rumors that Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is a candidate for the vacant head coaching job at Florida State, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James threw his support behind Prime Time.

On the heels of NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reporting that Sanders is under consideration at his alma mater of FSU, LeBron tweeted the following:

Man it would be so dope and just seems PERFECT for Prime Time @DeionSanders to be the HC of FSU! I mean right?? One thing about it he would get in any household on the planet to talk with a kid/parent/s. #ItsTimeforPrime

— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 8, 2019

The Seminoles are on the hunt for a new head coach after firing Willie Taggart on Sunday. Florida State was off to a 4-5 start under Taggart this season, and it went just 9-12 during Taggart's 21-game tenure.

Taggart was chosen as the replacement for Jimbo Fisher, who took the head coaching job at Texas A&M. He was unable to build on the strong foundation laid by Fisher and Bobby Bowden, though, as the Noles did not qualify for a bowl last season, which ended a 36-year bowl streak.

The Seminoles were perennial national title contenders under Fisher, and they won a national championship in 2013, but they are nowhere near that level currently.

While Sanders has no coaching experience above the high school ranks, he is one of the greatest players in Florida State history, and he could be a major coup in terms of helping the Seminoles recruit top-end talent.

If the Seminoles hire Sanders, pairing him with an assistant who has more extensive coaching experience could allow him to learn on the job.

Odell Haggins is the interim coach currently after going 2-0 in an interim role in 2017. He was Sanders' teammate at Florida State in 1988 and has been part of the Seminoles' staff since 1994.

If Florida State doesn't give Haggins the head coaching job, his presence could be key in helping Sanders develop into a quality head coach should the school opt to go in that direction.

Florida State's football program fast-tracked the inevitable this past Sunday, firing head coach Willie Taggart nine games into his second disastrous season at the helm.

The timing was a bit surprising. Yes, the Seminoles just no-showed at home in a loss to their bitterest rival (Miami), but they face Boston College this coming Saturday, followed by an all-but-guaranteed home win against FCS school Alabama State one week later. Should the 'Noles happen to win the road game against BC, bowl-eligibility is still on the table.

Thus, making a coaching change six days prior to that pivotal matchup was an interesting decision, to say the least.

But backing into some no-name bowl game with a 6-6 record isn't the Florida State football way.

Fans were somewhat understanding of that fate during Bobby Bowden's age 75-80 seasons but only because he was a legend who went 152-19 from 1987-2000. And even he was eventually fired, so Taggart and his 9-12 record (career 56-62 record) never had a prayer of surviving in Tallahassee.

Now that the deed is done, where does Florida State go from here? And how long will it be before we're "Talkin' 'bout the 'Noles" in a good way again?

Any time an athletic director from one of college football's flagship institutions is considering a coaching change, the biggest question they need to ask themself and their trusted advisers is: Can we get someone better?

There might be much better coaches on the market. It also might feel like the program cannot afford to endure another substandard season with a lame duck at head coach. But unless the AD is reasonably confident they can make a better hire, they might be sacrificing a recruiting cycle or two and further jeopardizing the state of their program for nothing.

That isn't to say Florida State made the wrong decision, but improvement via a coaching change is never guaranteed.

Certainly, the state of Seminoles football is much more dire than the situation was for Nebraska when it decided it deserved better than Bo Pelini, who lost exactly four games every season, but the past five years of struggling in Lincoln should serve as a cautionary tale that things could get even worse if FSU doesn't make the right hire.

(Cut to Michigan fans screaming about the idiocy of all the "Time for the Wolverines to move on from Jim Harbaugh" articles.)

As far as who that hire could be, the rapid "Who Might Replace Taggart?" reactions Sunday painted quite the optimistic picture from the national media.

With names like Bob Stoops, Urban Meyer, Mike Leach, Lane Kiffin, Brent Venables and James Franklin flying around, you'd think we were talking about candidates to replace Nick Saban after a retirement from his wildly successful post at Alabama instead of options for rebuilding a program that has been a dumpster fire since the moment Deondre Francois' knee ripped to shreds in the 2017 season opener.

Other oft-mentioned candidates like Matt Campbell (Iowa State), Mark Stoops (Kentucky), Dave Clawson (Wake Forest), P.J. Fleck (Minnesota), Luke Fickell (Cincinnati), Mike Norvell (Memphis) and Tom Allen (Indiana) who have put together something impressive at lower-profile programs have to be thinking, "I don't want any part of that mess when I've got job security, but you best believe I'm going to try to leverage that opening into a much more lucrative contract here."

Even if one of those 13 guys is willing to make the leap to a traditional powerhouse that has been a bit down on its luck lately, USC—assuming Clay Helton isn't far behind Taggart on the unemployment line—is the much more enticing opening. So Florida State probably needs two big names to become available in order to grab one.

Apologies if you clicked in hopes of finding some insider info on this coaching search, but I have no earthly idea who will end up getting the job. I highly doubt it'll be Stoops or Meyer, and every other name on the wish list still has a few more weeks' of coaching left for bowl-bound teams. Chances are it'll be a little while until we find out who the new head coach is.

What I do know, though, is that the 'Noles need someone who can recruit the talent-rich Sunshine State a whole lot better than Taggart did.

When the Bowden era ended in 2009, Jimbo Fisher began to build a dynasty on the backs of homegrown talent. In a 2010 class that ranked No. 8 nationally, Fisher signed four of the top five recruits from Florida. The following year, only Saban had a higher-rated class, and each of Fisher's top-six recruits hailed from Florida.

Fisher proceeded to go 39-3 with a national championship in his third through fifth seasons.

In Taggart's first class, however, Asante Samuel Jr. (No. 60 overall; No. 12 in Florida) was the only player in the state's top 25 to choose the Seminoles. The 2019 cycle was better for Taggart but not by much. Akeem Dent (No. 50 overall; No. 8 in Florida) was the only top-15 in-state player to end up in Tallahassee.

It's little wonder things have gotten this bad with little-to-no hope of a quick revival.

And that was with the University of Florida going through issues of its own while transitioning from Will Muschamp to Jim McElwain to Dan Mullen.

It'd be one thing if Florida and Miami were thriving and picking the state clean, but Taggart was losing home-state guys to programs all over the country. And now that Mullen and the Gators have had back-to-back strong seasons, it's going to be even harder for FSU to snag the guys who do want to stay closer to home.

More than anything, though, the new Seminoles coach needs to keep Dabo Swinney the hell out of his backyard.

Clemson signed more of Florida's top-15 recruits (three) in the past two years than Florida State did (two), and the Tigers already have commitments from three of the top four Florida guys in the 2020 class.

You want to close the gaping chasm between your program and your ACC overlords? That's where you start. Clemson is still going to sign plenty of high-caliber players on an annual basis, but at least make the Tigers find them in the other 49 states.

Do whatever it takes to hire the person who can make that happen. And if they happen to have a magic wand that can transform this offensive line from Swiss cheese into a stone wall, even better.

                                                                                          

Kerry Miller covers college football and men's college basketball for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter, @kerrancejames.

College football fans got to know former Independence Community College Jason Brown while he was featured on the Netflix show Last Chance U, but they apparently won't be seeing him on the Florida State sidelines anytime soon. 

Brown responded to a tweet from the unverified account FSUSeminolesNews suggesting the ACC program is talking with him to be the next head coach and shot down any rumors in decisive fashion:

They are too scared to hire someone like me! @FSUFootball would be loaded overnight & everyone would be mad! They go after million dollar guys who underperform & cant relate with todays kids! Someday they may understand guys like me are who they need! #scaredmoneydontmakemoney https://t.co/mNxEBOc6P4

— Coach Jason Brown (@TheRealCoach_JB) November 5, 2019

While Brown suggests Florida State is "scared" to hire him, he has no track record of success as an FBS coach and would be an incredibly controversial hire.

Chris Korman of USA Today's For The Win previewed the Netflix show in June and pointed out Independence Community College went just 2-8 in the season it was profiled. Far more than the losing stands out when it comes to Brown, though, as Korman noted the head coach resigned after a report revealed he referred to himself as Hitler in a text message he sent to a German player on his team.

What's more, Taylor Eldridge of Wichita Eagle reported the Montgomery County Attorney's Office charged Brown with eight felony counts because he was "allegedly pretending to be a lawyer from Johnnie Cochran's Los Angeles law firm in an attempt to silence criticism of Brown in local newspapers."

As for Florida State, the head coach position is open after it fired Willie Taggart on Sunday during his second season with the team. 

The Seminoles went just 5-7 in his first year, missing a bowl game for the first time since 1981, and are just 4-5 this year following Saturday's loss to the archrival Miami Hurricanes.