Florida State at Clemson feels big. That's because it is.

In the grand scheme, college football might not seem like the sport with the most parity. Year after year, we see the same teams from the same conferences make the College Football Playoff. Georgia and Michigan, teams that have made the last two CFPs, sit atop the current rankings. But on a week-by-week basis, no sport produces the chaos and upsets that college football seems to pump out every weekend.

The stakes are always so high. One loss by your favorite team rips your heart, two send you into a pit of despair with the knowledge that any aspirations of a postseason just dissipated. That's what Clemson (2-1, 0-1 ACC) faces this weekend as No. 4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC) comes to town. The Tigers are up against a wall, put there by a week one loss to Duke.

Another loss won't just eliminate Clemson from playoff contention, but likely keep them from defending their ACC crown. The fact that it's the Seminoles that could potentially put them to bed in week four makes this one that much more intense. Clemson has been the standard in the ACC for a decade. Florida State is coming to Clemson to put the finishing blow on the Tigers and take their place on the throne. For Clemson, like an old king, this is a fight to prove they still hold power. For Florida State, like a usurper, this isn't just a battle to take down the old king, but to prove to the nation they are to be feared.

Vegas believes this is a closer matchup than the AP voters. When was the last time a 4th-ranked team was just 1.5-point favorites over an unranked opponent? Both teams have shown vulnerability; Clemson in their loss to Duke and Florida State in last week's 31-29 calamity at Boston College. In terms of talent and experience, Florida State has the advantage. Quarterback Jordan Travis is as seasoned of a quarterback as you'll see in college football and his experience and talent are melding together at just the right time for the Seminoles. Wide receiver Keon Coleman and defensive end Jared Verse are going to be early NFL selections. Clemson's advantage? Home turf and a defense that's as solid as there is in college football.

This is one of those games you point to when trying to explain to your NFL-loving friends and family why college football is the best. NFL team loses a week four game? Cool, they can win the Super Bowl with eight losses. Clemson loses on Saturday? Better start looking at recruiting articles and hoping 2024 is Clemson's year. Saturday is life and death for the 2023 Tigers. Death Valley is going to be rocking.