What to Watch For: FSU at Louisville

Oct 18, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Tarean Folston (25) carries the ball as Florida State Seminoles defensive end Justin Shanks (92) attempts to tackle in the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

3.) FSU vs. the Run

One thing that FSU can count on tonight is that Louisville will attempt to exploit the Seminoles vulnerabilities in the middle of the defensive line. Since Nile Lawrence-Stample went out for the season FSU’s defensive tackles have struggled to replace him.

That means FSU has been giving up rushing yardage when teams run at its gut. And Louisville has the kind of back — 6-2, 233-pound bruiser Dominique Brown — that can give Florida State fits. Remember last year against Boston College, a similar kind of back, Andre Williams, gashed Florida State for 150. Louisville has likely looked at that film and is going to try and attack FSU up the middle.

That means it’s going to be extra important for FSU to play smart, assignment-sound football, stay in its gaps and not over-pursue. There may be some drives where Louisville picks up some first downs, but FSU has to make the Cardinals earn every yard of it.

What FSU can’t afford to do is get sloppy, go free-lancing or miss tackles. Jimbo Fisher likes to say, ‘the play don’t care who makes it.’ It’s going to be extra important for the defense to remember that tonight.