Quarterback

Florida State redshirt junior Christian Ponder is the only ACC quarterback averaging better than 300 yards per game through the air and has thrown 13 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Smart, athletic and a strong leader, Ponder is among the elite signal-callers in the country. Clemson’s Kyle Parker has been up and down, which is typical of a redshirt freshman, and is coming off a 7-for-16, two-interception effort against FCS foe Coastal Carolina.

Advantage: FSU

Running backs

Clemson ranks third in the ACC in rushing offense — two spots better than FSU — with 150.9 yards per game on the ground, but the Seminoles have six more rushing touchdowns and average nearly a half-yard per carry more than the Tigers. Heisman candidate C.J. Spiller gives Clemson the slight edge here with his explosive big-play ability. The senior has 24 plays of 50 yards or more in his career, 19 of those having gone for touchdowns.

Advantage: Clemson

Wide receivers

While Ponder leads the conference in passing, no Seminole receiver is putting up monster numbers. Bert Reed and Rod Owens are his top targets, ranking eight and ninth, respectively, in the ACC in receptions per game, but the fact that the two have combined to catch just three of Ponder’s 13 passing TDs is further evidence of how the Seminoles spread the wealth. Jacoby Ford leads Clemson with 32 catches for 440 yards and four scores.

Advantage: FSU

Offensive line

Florida State ranks first in the ACC in total offense, averaging nearly 100 yards per game more than the Tigers, and offensive success almost always starts up front. The ’Noles are converting basically half of their third-down attempts, further evidence of their success in the trenches, and have allowed just 14 sacks in nearly 300 passing attempts. Clemson’s O-line continues to improve, particularly since the return of left tackle Chris Hairston from a knee injury.

Advantage: FSU

Run defense

The Seminoles rank last in the conference in rushing defense, allowing 183 yards per game to go along with 15 rushing touchdowns and a per carry average of 4.9 yards by their opponents. A big part of the problem is simply a lack of size in the middle, as FSU’s two D-tackles, Jacobbi McDaniel and Everett Dawkins, weigh in at just 267 and 258 pounds, respectively. Clemson has given up just three rushing touchdowns all season.

Advantage: Clemson

Pass defense

The Tigers are among the nation’s best at defending the pass, as they rank fifth nationally in pass defense and are tied for third in total interceptions with 15. Crezdon Butler (11), DeAndre McDaniel (10) and Chris Chancellor (9) have combined for 30 career interceptions, which leads the nation among active starting secondaries. On paper, this area is likely the biggest key to the game’s outcome, pitting the ACC’s top pass defense against its leading passer.

Advantage: Clemson

Special teams

No player strikes fear into the hearts of opposing special teams coaches quite like Spiller, who needs just one more kickoff return touchdown to establish an all-time NCAA career record. Most opponents have chosen to kick away from him altogether recently, though given the Seminoles’ defensive struggles, one has to wonder if they can afford to surrender the field position required to do so. FSU doesn’t have a return touchdown, though Greg Reid is certainly capable.

Advantage: Clemson

— Steven Bradley