TALLAHASSEE -- With No. 10 Clemson up next, the Florida State defense is preparing in a number of ways. Highly touted freshman quarterback Jameis Winston has been practicing as Clemson junior signal-caller Tajh Boyd on the scout team, and four-star speedster Marvin Bracy, also a sprinter at FSU, has been playing sophomore receiver Sammy Watkins.

Another way the Seminoles should be better prepared for Clemson this season (the Tigers won 35-30 last year) will be their ability to employ the nickel package.

“We were banged up a little bit [last year],” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We didn’t do as much as we would like and have our normal guys.”

This season with the emergence of sophomore Tyler Hunter, Florida State will have a strong nickel package to counter Clemson’s three wide receiver sets.

“You’re going to have to mix it up — sometimes you play nickel, sometimes you don’t,” Fisher said. “But we’re going to have the ability to put it in.”