FSU Football 2016 Preseason Preview: Game 5 vs. North Carolina
By Jason Parker
Here is a look at how the 2016 season will play out for FSU football with our game preview and prediction.
As we get closer and closer to the 2016 season kicking off in the world of college football, FSU football is preparing for their spot as one of the teams that will compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff when the regular season is over.
The Seminoles will have their work cut out for them, with eight games against teams that went to bowl games in 2015 (including six of their first eight opponents) as well as one team that made a run in the FCS playoffs last season.
While it starts and ends with SEC opponents in the Sunshine State (two of the nine games being played in the state of Florida this season for FSU football), there are plenty of challenges in between and potential road blocks that could keep the ‘Noles from winning the fourth national title in program history.
How will the ‘Noles fare this season when they take the field for the 12 games currently on their schedule?
Is there a team that will come out on top and keep FSU football from being perfect in a season of such hope? Here’s our look at how the Seminoles will do in the regular season in 2016.
Game Five – vs. North Carolina (October 1st)
Series Record: Florida State leads 15-2-1
For just the third time in a 12-season period, the Seminoles and Tar Heels will meet on the football field, as FSU football looks to avenge a last second loss to UNC during Jimbo Fisher’s first season as head coach back in 2010.
FSU is thanking their lucky stars or whomever they need to that they are facing North Carolina this season instead of last year, when they became the first team not named Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech or Duke to win the Coastal Division.
Last season, North Carolina was one of the most high flying offenses and score over 40 points a game while averaging over seven yards A PLAY for the entire year. Much of that had to do with having one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country in the recently graduated Marquis Williams.
Where UNC will be able to ease some of the drop-off is that their all everything offensive weapon, Ryan Switzer, does make a return. The secondary on defense returns several quality players, including M.J. Stewart, but is in need of help with the front seven.
Florida State will be heading into this game coming off back-to-back road trips against decent middle of the road talent, so this will certainly be a step up in competition.
For the ‘Noles, the running game will be key in this one, as both Dalvin Cook and Jacques Patrick could be in for big days if the Tar Heels’ defense hasn’t come together by this point in the year.
On defense, expect a healthy dose of double team efforts on Switzer in an effort to force UNC to beat them with something else.
Key Factor
With Miami and Clemson both looming within the next three games, it would be easy to get lost in this game and forget that North Carolina came within a couple minutes of actually winning the conference last year.
The last time the ‘Noles hosted a North Carolina team they should have beaten, they left the field that night with a loss.
Prediction
The month of October is going to be crucial for FSU football, with a huge rivalry game and a battle that may be the game of the year in college football at the end of the calendar.
Fisher so far has been able to keep the team’s focus, so there is no reason to think that will change in this game. Florida State 31 North Carolina 17