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FSU Football: Will ‘Noles feature run heavy offense in 2017?

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 8: Head Coach of the Florida State Seminoles Jimbo Fisher argues with referees after a call against the Virginia Cavaliers during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles beat the Cavaliers 34-20 (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 8: Head Coach of the Florida State Seminoles Jimbo Fisher argues with referees after a call against the Virginia Cavaliers during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles beat the Cavaliers 34-20 (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images) /
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FSU football typically features balanced offenses under Jimbo Fisher.

Coach Jimbo Fisher prides himself on being a balanced offense, and the numbers typically reflect that sentiment.

Here’s a look at the last five years under Jimbo Fisher when it comes to the percentages of run vs. pass plays:

  • 2012: 54.5 percent run vs. 45.4 percent pass
  • 2013: 53.3 percent run vs. 46.6 percent pass
  • 2014: 53.3 percent pass vs. 46.6 percent run
  • 2015: 50.3 percent run vs. 49.6 percent pass
  • 2016: 55.1 percent run vs. 44.8 percent pass

Fisher only had one year that featured the pass more than the run, ironically that was the 2014 season which featured a turnover prone offense ovecoming huge deficits in the second half to remain undefeated during the regular season.

The 2015 season was ridiculously balanced, but the other three seasons were slanted toward the run game.

What’s amazing to me is how heavily FSU was dependent upon the run in 2016 with Deondre Francois having 400 passing attempts as redshirt freshman.

He’s only the second quarterback in the Jimbo Fisher era to reach the 400 pass attempt mark. Jameis Winston did it in the record-breaking 2013 national championship season. However, even in that season FSU football ran the ball more than they passed.

Will the 2017 offense continue to be run heavy?

That’s the question considering the inexperience of the running backs. Jacques Patrick is the most experienced back, and he only has 124 carries in his college career.

Must Read: Will Deondre Francois Pass For 4,000 Yards In 2017?

Florida State Seminoles Football
Florida State Seminoles Football /

Florida State Seminoles Football

We talked about the prowess of Francois’s passing game in the link above, and the possibilities him reaching the 4,000 yards passing mark. However, the ‘Noles offensive line seems to be better equipped to run block opposed to pass blocking.

Yet, this could be the most athletic wide receivers unit in the Jimbo Fisher era. They are huge on average and will be difficult covers for opposing defensive secondaries.

Will opposing defenses focus on shutting down the inexperienced backs and make a largely inaccurate Francois in 2016 beat them with his arm?

We’ve compared Francois to former FSU football quarterback EJ Manuel in the past. Manuel was the more accurate QB stats wise, but both struggle to get the ball out of their hands on time and take terrible sacks.

He was the quarterback of the 2012 team that was the second most run heavy offense behind the 2016 squad.

Final Thoughts

The FSU defense is poised to be an elite unit in 2017. The easiest thing to do would be to shorten games with the run game if FSU gets a lead, and lean on the defensive unit to get the job done.

Fisher tends to favor the run game over the past five years. He’s got arguably the most talented stable of running backs in the country, and I could see him leaning on them if they prove to be effective.

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The receivers are big and physical which can help open up the run game too. But, if they can run their routes effectively and the offensive line can protect, we could see a year closer to 2015 that’s extremely balanced.

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