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Travis Haney, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Forget Jameis -- Clemson still has to score

When it comes to actual football, the suspension of Florida State QB Jameis Winston isn’t the most important storyline in Saturday’s Clemson-FSU game. And it really isn’t close.

TheĀ Heisman-winning quarterback's absence is irrelevant if Clemson can't run on the FSU front seven. That is the Tigers’ biggest concern -- not who is under centerĀ for the Seminoles.

“It’s a mismatch,” one ACC coach texted this week. “Big one.”

In addition to new quarterbacks and receivers, Clemson does not feel great about its tackles or guards. That goes all the way back to a conversation I had with coach Dabo Swinney in January at the Senior Bowl.

“I’m more concerned with who’s going to play tackle,” he said when asked about the Tigers' then-three-way QB battle.

And the offensive line remains the biggest concern. In two games, the Tigers have averaged a very modest 3.8 yards per carry. They’re using a lot of backs, but none has shown breakout ability -- particularly behind that patchwork line, and perhaps because of it.

That’s why freshman QB Deshaun Watson, clearly a more athletic option than Cole Stoudt, has to play a big role Saturday in the zone-read game. Watson can keep the FSU defense honest.

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