Misery gets company

We're only a week removed from the big South Florida Seven-Zero, so not a lot is going to comfort Clemson fans right now.

But as you look to next season and examine the question marks, it has to be a little comforting to know that Florida State is having some major problems on the offensive line as well.

The Seminoles are Clemson's chief rival, and the 2012 trip to Tallahassee should have a major say in deciding the Atlantic Division champion. Florida State is undoubtedly a force because of all the talent that's been stockpiled down there, and the defense should be really good (we can't say that about Clemson, obviously). But the Seminoles still look flawed largely because of an undependable offense, and the root of said undependability (is that a word?) is an offensive line that couldn't block anyone in 2011.

Florida State finished 104th nationally in rushing offense with 112 yards per game. They averaged 3.34 yards per carry, ranking 105th.

Of course, those rushing numbers were skewed by a complete inability to protect the quarterback. The Seminoles allowed a staggering 41 sacks for 284 lost yards. Yuck.

Clemson has had problems establishing a consistent running game over the years, and Florida State is no different.

Here are the Seminoles' rushing averages and national rankings during the 12-team ACC era:

2005: 94 ypg (109th)
2006: 96.5 ypg (103rd)
2007: 127 ypg (79th)
2008: 176 ypg (26th)
2009: 149 ypg (33rd)
2010: 171 ypg (28th)
2011: 112 ypg (105th)

And Clemson's:

2005: 153 ypg (50th)
2006: 217 ypg (5th)
2007: 161 ypg (50th)
2008: 111 ypg (100th)
2009: 170 ypg (40th)
2010: 138 ypg (70th)
2011: 158 ypg (59th)

In every single one of those years, the more successful running team won the head-to-head matchup between the Tigers and Seminoles.

This year, Florida State suffered from injuries on the offensive line late in the season. But they were bad from the start in the running game, producing just 92 yards against Charleston Southern, 27 against Oklahoma and 29 against Clemson.

In the last two games of the season, the Seminoles rushed for a total of 71 yards on 75 carries against Florida and Notre Dame.

Florida State might have fewer question marks on the offensive line than Clemson heading into the offseason, but in sum these are two programs that are being held back by an inability to block people.

LW