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FSU Football: Position battle spotlight vs. Syracuse

By Zack Scott

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles leads his team onto the field before their game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on October 27, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles leads his team onto the field before their game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on October 27, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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FSU football is back in the Doak this weekend up against a physical Syracuse team. Kickoff will be at 12:20 on the ACC network. (Check your local listings)

FSU football will look to regain some confidence and get a must win if the ‘Noles are to have any chance at becoming bowl eligible. It will be no easy task as they are up against a Syracuse team that beat Clemson just a few weeks back.

Syracuse 4-4 (2-2) are a much better team than what their record would suggest. The same can be said for the Florida State Seminoles also.

Matchup preview

Florida State will need to control the pace of this game and not let Syracuse’s temp overwhelm them. The Orange are a fast paced team and lead the nation with an average of 86.5 offensive plays per game. This is bad news considering FSU football has struggled to get stops this season. Especially in 3rd down situations.

Turnovers and preventing chunk plays will be crucial for the ‘Noles. An offensive style such as Syracuse will quickly wear down an opposing defense if you allow them to march down the field repeatedly. Preventing those big plays will help out the defense and allow FSU to limit the tempo.

And the edge goes to…

Syracuse wins this matchup battle in my mind. The Orange are averaging nearly 30 points per game while FSU is averaging just over 15. Even if the ‘Noles are able to slow down Syracuse im not so confident the struggling FSU offense can score enough points to win.

Judging by the demeanor of the ‘Noles in recent weeks I have little faith in a win until FSU faces Delaware State on November 18th. As sad as it sounds it’s unfortunately true. I need to see some heart and to be proven otherwise to give Florida State the edge over anybody right now.

Florida State is winless at home this season in case you have forgotten. Any win would be huge right now but this one would be big. This one would be big for the fans and a distraction from the dark cloud hanging over the program.

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