College football scouting report: Florida State Seminoles vs. Clemson Tigers, 8 p.m. Saturday, Ch. 28, 820-AM

Florida State vs. Clemson, 8, Ch. 28, 820-AM

Led by their defense, the Tigers (5-4, 3-3 ACC) have won three of their past four to stay alive in the Atlantic Division race. They have allowed just one touchdown during that stretch against Maryland, Georgia Tech, Boston College and N.C. State, a team that beat FSU (6-3, 4-2) last month. Overall, the Tigers are 12th in Division I-A in scoring defense (17.6 points per game). Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers has 12 1/2 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, both tops in I-A. One more sack will give him the school single-season record, surpassing former Bucs DE Gaines Adams. The secondary is led by former Tallahassee Godby High star S DeAndre McDaniel (15 career interceptions, two shy of the school record set by College Football Hall of Famer Terry Kinard).

What to watch for ...

Clemson's Marcus Gilchrist, left, is averaging 28.3 yards on kickoff returns (second in the ACC, 12th in Division I-A) and 12.3 yards on punt returns (third in ACC, 18th in I-A).

Brian Landman, Times staff writer