How Clemson’s 29-game win streak compares to 2012-14 Florida State

If No. 3 Clemson can knock off No. 1 LSU in Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship, it will do more than cement Dabo Swinney’s dynasty with a third title in four seasons.

A 30th consecutive Clemson victory would move the Tigers past Florida State (2012-14) for the longest win streak in ACC history and the longest NCAA-recognized run since Miami won 34 in a row from 2000-03.

Here’s how Clemson’s current 29-game streak compares to the one Florida State compiled under Jimbo Fisher:

Total points scored

FSU: 1,227 (42.3 ppg)

Clemson: 1,298 (44.8 ppg)

Total points allowed

FSU: 494 (17.0 ppg)

Clemson: 358 (12.3 ppg)

Yards per play

FSU: 7.0

Clemson: 7.4

Yards per play allowed

FSU: 4.6

Clemson: 4.3

Wins by at least 21 points

FSU: 15

Clemson: 23

How it began

FSU: Recovered from a loss to Florida the previous week to top Georgia Tech 21-15 and win the program’s first ACC title since 2005.

Clemson: Blew past Furman 48-7 in the 2018 season opener.

Turning point

FSU: Closing the 2012 season with a 31-10 Orange Bowl triumph over Northern Illinois (Game No. 2 in the streak) reestablished the ’Noles as a powerhouse and set the stage for what followed.

Clemson: Benching Kelly Bryant — who took the Tigers to the CFP the year before — and anointing Trevor Lawrence as the starter before the fifth game of 2018 kicked Clemson into another gear.

Big games won

FSU: Three ACC titles, an Orange Bowl and the 34-31 national championship comeback over Auburn. Beat nine ranked teams (four in the top 10).

Clemson: Two ACC titles, a 44-16 blowout win over Alabama for last year’s national title and a 29-23 comeback over Ohio State in last month’s semifinal. Beat seven ranked teams (three in the top 10).

Against each other

FSU: Crushed the No. 3 Tigers 51-14 in Death Valley in 2013. With Jameis Winston suspended, FSU survived a Deshaun Watson off-the-bench rally for a 23-17 overtime win the next year.

Clemson: Destroyed FSU twice by a combined 80 points and was responsible for the lasting meme of the Willie Taggart era (the shirtless professor reading a book during the ’18 rout in Tallahassee).

Closest call

FSU: Other than Auburn? A controversial offensive pass interference in the closing seconds by No. 5 Notre Dame negated the go-ahead touchdown pass by Irish quarterback (and future ’Nole) Everett Golson in a 31-27 FSU comeback.

Clemson: Stuffed North Carolina quarterback (and former FSU commit) Sam Howell on a late two-point conversion attempt to survive a 21-20 squeaker that fueled (since vanquished) skepticism about how good these Tigers were.

Audibles

“We made history. It was something great to do. It was something that had never been done in Florida State history, and we did it. To be a part of history, Coach Jimbo constantly talks about history, and when you come back at your reunion, you'll be able to sit down and talk about all these great moments you've experienced while being here.” — then-FSU defensive lineman Mario Edwards, after the Rose Bowl loss to Oregon

“Hopefully all that stuff can be put to rest and these guys can be recognized for just an incredible run. I mean, to win 29 games in a row is — it's historic. I mean, it's just unbelievable how hard that is to do in today's world.” — Swinney

How it ended

FSU: Marcus Mariota and Oregon torched FSU 59-20 at the Rose Bowl in the first game of the CFP era.

Clemson: Tune in Monday night.

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.