How does Everett Golson Transfer Affect Clemson?

Everett Golson announced on Tuesday that he will be attending Florida State University this fall, how does this affect the 2015 Clemson football season?

Former Notre Dame quarter back Everett Golson announced early on Tuesday that he will be taking his talents to Florida State University with the hopes of being the Seminoles’ starting quarter back in the fall. Golson does not have to sit out a year because he is a “Graduate Student,” so he will be eligible to compete in the 2015 season. With that being said, what does his transfer announcement mean for the the 2015 Clemson football season?

Last season, Golson threw for 3,445 yards and had 29 touchdown passes to 14 interceptions. He can certainly be inconsistent at times, but when he is on his game, he is a first-round quarter back, talent-wise. He will almost, without a doubt, beat out Sean Maguire for the starting spot come fall time and I’d expect that’s who Clemson will see when Florida State comes to town on November 7. The Myrtle Beach product has played in a BCS National Championship, which means he is not easily rattled and will give the Seminoles an experienced and talented option at the quarter back position.

This transfer announcement may turn out to mean nothing for the Clemson football program, but, in my opinion, the road to Charlotte just got a bit more difficult. As Clemson fans saw last year, a talented and confident quarter back makes all the difference in an offense. If Golson can be consistent, he will take Florida State’s offense to, at the very least, the level they were at last year. With a defense that should be similar to that of the 2013 National Championship season, this will make the Seminoles a very tough-out for the Tigers, not only in November when Clemson plays Florida State, but it also gives Clemson less breathing room to make a mistake in Conference Play.

Another disadvantage Clemson will have is that the game will not be played until November. The past four seasons, Clemson and Florida State have matched up in late September or early October, but this season the two will not see each other until November. This gives the Seminoles time to develop continuity and chemistry between each other before they play Clemson in Death Valley. If the game were played earlier in the season, Golson may not be as comfortable at the position as he will be when November arrives.

Most likely, this game will decide the ACC Atlantic Division Champion. The past five seasons, the team that has won this game has gone on to compete in the ACC Championship Game and it does not look like this year will be any different. If you were to compare the two teams right now, I would give the advantage slight to Clemson. The Tigers still have the more talented quarter back and offense, but the Seminoles will have a very strong defense.

The deciding factor in this game this season may just be Death Valley. Clemson will have the benefit of 80,000 plus on their side, which may end up being the key the Tigers need to advance to the ACC Championship for the first time since 2011. Only time will tell how this transfer will affect Clemson’s football season, but it certainly makes for an exciting match-up when the Seminoles travel up to Clemson, SC to take on the Tigers in what will be the ACC Atlantic Championship Game.

What do you think Clemson fans? Does Everett Golson make Florida State better? How does his presence change the Clemson football season, both in the actual match-up and in ACC play? Does Clemson win the ACC Atlantic Division this year? Comment below!

Click below for the full article
How does Everett Golson Transfer Affect Clemson?
Source: Rubbing the Rock