FSU Football: Our top 10 predictions for 2017 season
By Kelvin Hunt
Jacques Patrick will lead the team in rushing yards
This was a tough prediction to make, but I’m leaning on a little gut feeling and history in this one. Jacques Patrick will be the starting running back against Alabama.
He’s the most experienced running back on the roster and likely the best at pass protection so he’ll be on the field more times than not.
Patrick only has 124 carries in his career but has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his first two seasons. Jimbo Fisher has already stated it will be a running back by committee approach unless one guy separates himself from the pack.
Patrick has received just over 60 carries the past two seasons while playing behind Dalvin Cook. I think it’s safe to say Patrick will likely get north of 125 carries on the season at a minimum and maximum of say 160.
If Patrick gets 140 carries and maintains his yards per carry average, that’d put him at 750 yards per carry. If Cam Akers can surpass that amount in his freshman season, I do think it’s safe to say he could be the next Dalvin Cook.
I think Akers could establish himself as the man late in the season, but he’d need a monster second half to usurp Patrick as the leading rusher.