FSU Football: Derwin James and O-Line key to national championship?
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football is one of about five schools with a legitimate shot at winning a national championship in 2017. Are the keys Derwin James and the o-line?
FSU Football: 2018 Recruiting News and Updates
The FSU football hype train was a year too early last season. We gave you all the warning signs that gave cause for concern. Nobody could predict Derwin James would miss basically the entire year.
The ‘Noles ended the year on a high note with their electrifying win over Michigan in the Orange Bowl. Now the hype train is back in the station and rearing to go as FSU football takes on Alabama out the gates in 2017.
Can the ‘Noles win it all? They certainly have a lot of the pieces. An experienced quarterback, a defense that should be lights out and arguably the most talented stable of running backs in the country.
However, one ESPN analyst believes there are two things FSU must depend on to win their fourth national title:
the key to Florida State winning a national championship will be the health of Derwin James and the offensive line
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) June 20, 2017
Thoughts
I can’t say I disagree when it comes to the offensive line. That unit was abysmal at times last season, but they did face eight defenses ranked in the top 30 and had a redshirt quarterback that held it a bit too long trying to read defenses.
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The offensive line is a question mark as Landon Dickerson and Alec Eberle missed the entire spring recovery from injuries/surgeries. In fact, Eberle might not get his job back due to the emergence of Baveon Johnson.
All-ACC Roderick Johnson will have to be replaced, but there’s a lot of talent in the cupboard.
In regards to Derwin James, he’s absolutely a difference maker and likely helps FSU erase two losses last season.
However, the defensive secondary is the one unit that’s extremely talented and experienced unlike last season. James allows the defense to do all sorts of things, but I wouldn’t say his play is as important as that of special teams.
Special teams are and have been the worst unit on the field for FSU the last two season. We’re talking ranked at the bottom of the bottom. The punting was shaky last season and punt returns have been non-existent since Greg Reid was a Nole.
Defending punt returns was among the worst in the nation last season. So being able to flip the field and allowing the defense to create short fields for the offense is imperative this season.
Being able to flip the field with a bomb punt helps give the defense some cushion. I don’t care how great your defense is, if they have to start defending in their own territory it’s difficult to keep points off the board.
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However, it’s extremely difficult to drive 80 yards and score a touchdown on most elite defenses. So the offensive line and special teams would be my two keys to FSU winning it all in 2017 assuming great injury luck, etc.