SEMINOLE MOMENT
FLORIDA STATE LOOKS TO SHAKE OFF FIRST TWO GAMES, TACKLE ORANGE
KEYS FOR FLORIDA STATE
Better offensive line play: Injuries and poor performances have turned the offensive line into a revolving door in the first two games as the Seminoles try to find the right combination of players. The result has seen what should be a dangerous rushing attack manage just 228 yards so far – that’s 107th out of 130 FBS teams. Getting that unit going is essential to keep FSU from starting 0-2 in ACC play. Stop the quarterback run: Syracuse’s Eric Dungey may be more dangerous with his feet than his arm. He enters the FSU game ranked second among ACC rushers with a 122-yard average. The Seminoles must keep Dungey in the pocket and away from big runs down field, especially on third down.
KEYS FOR SYRACUSE
Fast tempo on offense: The Orangemen can keep the FSU off balance if they can continue pushing the tempo on offense. They ran 88 plays in the opening win against Western Michigan and 80 last week versus Wagner, putting them in the top of FBS teams in plays run. They’re averaging a play every 20.7 seconds,which could be exhausting, even for the athletic Seminoles, to keep pace.
Keep picking: The Syracuse defense recorded five interceptions in the first two games, which is one more than it had all last season. FSU has been forced to pass a lot so far because its running game hasn’t been clicking so turnover opportunities will be present, if the Orange secondary plays aggressive.
PREDICTION
Florida State has won 10 straight against Syracuse, but only by a 27-24 margin last year in Tallahassee. Eric Dungey will be a handful to deal with again for the FSU defense. But you have to believe the Seminoles got a wakeup call last week in struggling to beat Samford, which makes us believe they’ll escape The Carrier Dome with their first ACC win of the season.