Florida St. vs Notre Dame Primer: Battle of the Unbeatens

Tallahassee will play host to one of the most intriguing matchups of the season tonight as Florida State plays host to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Both teams are currently undefeated at 6-0, but neither has looked completely dominant. Notre Dame is coming off of a tight one with a mediocre (but talented) UNC squad in which they came from behind to win 50-43. Florida State struggled early but won somewhat handily; 38-20 against Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. Both teams will be hyped for this one but what will happen when they collide 7:00PM on ABC?

Rand

Overview

Florida State: The team has no shortage of talent and speed on the field as usual. But inconsistency has stricken the Seminoles somewhat as they have not shown the complete dominance they showed in their Championship season last year. The rumor mill has been swirling about what may or may not have happened with Jameis Winston in the past, and that has seemed to cloud his mind somewhat (11TD’s/5INT’s). The defense has shown its vulnerability as well giving up more than 20 points in half of their games this season. Injuries have tapped into the deep Florida State talent as the Seminoles have already lost 3 players for the season. Robert Aguayo has been as consistent as they come this year for FSU and has no issues doing his job.

Notre Dame: Everett Golson has benefitted from an offense that now is built around his strengths instead of to hide his weaknesses. His stats are more impressive than Winston’s to this point (16TD’s/4INT’s) but have also shown his youth with 9 Turnovers (4INT’s/5 fumbles) in the past 3 games. The defense for Notre Dame has shown themselves to be a scrappy group having streaks of greatness but have not truly been tested against an offense as highly powered as the Seminoles. Kyle Brindza is the all-around special teamer for Notre Dame handling kickoffs, PAT’s, and punts for the Irish. More consistent as a punter than as a kicker but has played in some tough conditions.

Players to watch

Everett Golson QB (ND): The dual threat QB looks a lot more comfortable this year and will look to go right at the FSU defense that has shown its vulnerability. Brian Kelly has made making plays a lot easier for Golson this year and they will hope to lean on him in this game.

Jameis Winston, QB (FSU): Regardless of what you hear about this guy, the fact is he knows how to play the game. He is a proven winner and already has a championship under his belt. Will not be shaken by the bright lights, look for him to be confident, but this season has been one of inconsistency for him, and the Notre Dame defense will be hungry to get after him.

Jaylon Smith, LB (ND): This kid is all over the field for the Notre Dame defense. He is covering WR’s in the slot, sticking his nose into the run, and getting after the quarterback. Look for him to make an impact on this one with plays covering the pass and stuffing the run.

Tarean Folston, RB (ND): He has been getting more and more touches in the explosive ND offense and has piled up yardage against weary defenses. Look for him to have a big play or two for the Irish as the Noles will be concentrating more on Golson.

Mario Edwards Jr., DL (FSU): With the return of Derek Mitchell, Edwards will be pushed back outside to his natural DE spot and will be hungry as ever to get after Everett Golson. This guy makes plays. Look for him to be around the ball all night.

Prediction

I wouldn’t expect much offense tonight down in Tallahassee as these teams will be eager to get their hands on the ball. Also, both defenses will be exploited tonight and their weaknesses given light. Florida State will come out hot at home and get up early on the Irish but the Irish aren’t in the Top 10 for nothing and will compete all night long. However, the inconsistency from the Notre Dame defense and the overall firepower of the Florida State offense will prove too much, with Aguayo tallying a few FG’s in the process.

Florida State 44 – Notre Dame 34

Joe Mo

Players to watch

Everett Golson, QB (ND)- Golson is going to need to be the best player on the field tonight if Notre Dame has any hope of pulling off the road upset. I know that’s what everyone has been saying, but its the truth. Although Tarean Folston stepped up last week against North Carolina and showed that Notre Dame can be at least competent on the ground, that will not be enough against one of the most talented (not to be confused with productive) defenses in college football. I am fully expecting a Heisman performance from Golson tonight against a streaky FSU secondary.

Jameis Winston, QB (FSU)- Maybe a bit of a surprise here, reigning Heisman winner, Jameis Winston, is going to be a big part of this game. He doesn’t have the weapons on offense that he did last year, but thus far, he hasn’t needed them. If his offensive line can protect him, and if his off-field issues don’t prove to be a distraction, Jameis will continue playing efficient, small-ball. Against a young, untested Notre Dame defense, that may be all he needs to do.

Cole Luke, CB (ND)- The sophomore nephew of Darren Woodson emerged from the bottom of Notre Dame’s depth chart after KeiVarae Russell was lost for the season due to suspension. After recording 2 interceptions against Stanford, Luke had a pivotal pick in the 4th quarter of last week’s North Carolina game that would lead to Folston’s game winning touchdown run. Expect Luke and his corner partner Cody Riggs to make some big plays tonight that help to decide the game.

FSU Defensive Line (FSU)- Like the rest of FSU’s defense, the line is made up of highly rated recruits that have not been playing up to expectations. If they play like they have been, Golson should have plenty of time and Notre Dame’s interior run game should find the same success it did last week against North Carolina. If the front 4 for FSU does not step up tonight, Golson will make them pay for it.

Keys to the Game

Notre Dame:

Take the ball outside- Maybe it has more to do with them playing down to the level of their opponents, but in recent games against Syracuse and NC State, FSU looked terrible on runs and short passes toward the sidelines. WIth the emergence of Tarean Folston is both the run and pass games, look for a lot of screens and sweeps tonight to test FSU’s youthful outside corps.

Get pressure on Jameis- FSU’s offensive line has been inconsistent, and Notre Dame’s front 7 has looked solid thus far. If they can get Jameis rattled right off the bat, it should help to settle down the hostile crowd and take some pressure off of their inexperienced secondary. With that being said, if you are going to bring the blitz on Jameis Winston, you better get through to him because if not, he will torch you.

Golson- I can not stress enough the importance of Golson putting on a Heisman showcase tonight. Literally can’t, so I won’t try. Very important though.

FSU:

Figure it out- On paper, this team looks just as dominant as last year’s championship team. I don’t know if its a lack of leadership, or they have the post-championship boredom bug, but whatever it is they need to get it figured out tonight. If they can do that, they can throw it into cruise until the playoffs.

Utilize Nick O’ Leary- The all-time leader in tight end touchdowns for FSU might be their best mismatch. Notre Dame’s defensive backs have proven that they can hang with smaller receivers, and without a Kelvin Benjamin-like presence on their roster, O’ Leary will have to be their guy assuming the corners are able to limit Rashad Greene. ND’s Jaylon Smith could be asked to contain O’ Leary, but there’s only so much one person can do, and they will be asking Smith to do a lot tonight.

Continue to dominate on 1st down– FSU has made a living this year off of gaining good yardage on first down. They’re averaging around 6 yds/play on 1st down, and if they can continue with that trend against Notre Dame creating manageable 2nd and 3rd downs, their Heisman quarterback should figure out a way to win.

Prediciton

I’ve been going back and forth on this game all week. On paper, its FSU. Jimbo Fisher, Jameis Winston, Nick O’ Leary, Rashad Greene, Bobo Wilson, and most importantly, Roberto Aguayo, seem like too much. The thing missing from that list is a defensive player. FSU’s defense has not been good, and at times has been absolutely disgusting. NC State embarassed them, and if they can, Everett can. Look for Golson to cement his name in the Heisman race tonight, and for Cole Luke or Cody Riggs to make a big play down the stretch for the Irish.

Notre Dame 40 – Florida State 37

How you like that pick coach?

It should also be noted that there is a chance that this will be the last college football game ever for Jameis Winston. As his mistakes continue to pile up, and old mistakes are brought back to the forefront, his career at FSU seems to be hanging in the balance. While watching tonight, keep in mind that you may be watching Winston take his last snaps as he walks out the door of a short, but historic college career.