What to Watch For: FSU at Louisville

Oct 18, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quaterback Jameis Winston (5) looks to throw the ball during the first half of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

2.) No Turnovers

Things aren’t going to go perfectly tonight– they never do. FSU will be forced to punt. FSU will give up points. It’s not going to be an easy game. What FSU can’t afford to do compound whatever issues it runs into by committing turnovers.

For starters, on a Thursday night in front of a hostile crowd, turnovers have the ability to make an even bigger impact on momentum. But beyond that, the Seminoles can’t afford to give a very good team any freebies. FSU needs to make sure Louisville has to drive the length of the field for its point, it can ill-afford to give the Cardinals a short field on any of its possessions.

That means no fumbles, but more importantly it means Jameis Winston needs to be a bit more conservative tonight than usual. Take what’s there underneath, don’t force passes into coverage and if you have to punt and let your defense play for you– do that. There’s no shame in just flipping field position and giving your defense a breather.

Now, that’s not saying don’t go air it out — you have to let Winston go be Jameis Winston — but don’t take unnecessary risks.

No gifts for Louisville.