5 “Different” Things to Watch When Florida State Takes the Field
By Joe Nardone
Timmy Jernigan Will Eat Souls
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Timmy Jernigan might not be a nationally recognized defensive linemen, yet. Florida State fans are surely aware of his exploits and it’s only a matter of time before Lee Corso throws a nickname on this behemoth. However, that doesn’t mean the Pittsburgh coaching staff isn’t aware as to how important it will be for them to stop this man-beast.
Florida State’s defense is going to be good in an overall kind of way. We already know that. What we don’t know, though, is if someone like Jernigan can transcend from being just another member of a good defense to being propelled as one of the best linemen in the country — which he is. His numbers, however, probably won’t stack up in that kind of way.
Keep a close eye (or both eyeballs if you prefer) on Pitt’s blocking scheme on the first few series. Are they doubling Jernigan? Chip-blocking? Are they trying to avoid him at all costs by running away from him? Those are all viable options for the Panthers, but it’s not like Florida State has bums playing everywhere else.
Avoiding at Jernigan at all costs would be smart, I guess, but it would also be like biting off you nose to spite your face. Jernigan is essentially the boogeyman. He is going to get opponent’s souls regardless.