FSU Football: Key matchup battles for Virginia Tech game

FSU football coach Willie Taggart has done a great job reviving this ‘Noles team and fanbase over the offseason, but now it’s time for him to make his money

Coach Taggart’s first game is a tough one, but that’s why you take this job, right? FSU football has built a reputation of playing big games Week 1 and the tradition only continues here.  FSU fans should expect a heavy dosage of Cam Akers, Jacques Patrick, and Khalan Laborn.

This new “Gulf Coast” system works as a power spread and gets multiple backs involved in multiple different ways. The backs will also be used to ease redshirt junior quarterback Deondre Francois back into a groove, who is returning from a torn patella.

Defensively, FSU football fans should expect some hard hitting but also should be prepared for growing pains. This defense is very talented, but also very young.  With inexperience comes some busted coverages and missed tackles.

I think Virginia Tech will test the young secondary and inexperienced linebackers early but expect the Seminoles to settle down by mid way through the first half. FSU’s defensive line talent should be the difference maker in this game as they are one of the best in the nation.

Match Ups to Watch

Deondre Francois vs Virginia Tech Front Seven

It’s been well known that FSU football’s offensive line play hasn’t been good at all, not even average. While fans should be optimistic about new O-line coach Greg Frey, don’t expect a dramatic change over one offseason. Francois took a beating in ’16, as did James Blackman in ’17.

Look for the offense to make fast and simple reads to make things easy as possible for the O Line and Francois. Virginia Tech has some veteran pass rushers in Trevon Hill and Ricky Walker who combined for 10 sacks last season.

Sean Savoy vs Levonta Taylor

After a pretty solid freshman campaign, Savoy returns as one of VT’s lone weapons.  He accounted for 454 receiving yards with 4 TDs and 116 rushing yards to go with 2 TDs, He’s Virginia Tech’s Swiss Army Knife. He’s looking for a big role in 2018 and will be their go to target, I expect him to get a lot of targets which means Taylor should get a lot of opportunities to make a big play.

Score Prediction

34-20 Noles. I expect this game to be hard hitting and an overall fun game to watch. This game will be close at first and may have some fans on the edge of their seats but I believe the ‘Noles will pull away.