FSU Football: Key matchups for game vs. Notre Dame

After yet another total embarrassment FSU football has a chance to bounce back against one of the top teams in the nation and ruin their playoff hopes.

FSU football heads to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish knowing it’s going to be tough to upset the No. 3 team in the nation. On a chilly night in one of the most hostile and historic environments in all of college football, the deck is stacked – but it’s not impossible.

For the impossible to take place, Florida State will need to wake up and stop playing like an ACC bottom feeder. Here’s what matchups to watch for Saturday night.

FSU WR Tamorrion Terry vs Notre Dame CB Julian Love

Now, we’ve seen just how good the young receiver can be, but this is his toughest match-up yet. Love is a projected first or second round pick in the upcoming NFL draft and it is for a very good reason.

Florida State Seminoles Football

He is an absolute technician at the cornerback position. He’s very good at locating the ball and being just physical enough to disrupt receivers but not get flagged for pass interference. If Tamorrion is as good as we think he is, we will need him to show up against Love.

FSU Football offensive coordinator Walt Bell needs to score points fast

As we all know, head coach Willie Taggart has given play-calling duties over Bell, a move that made some of the fanbase happy including myself. I am a big fan of this move for many reasons – first, I think Bell is far superior than Taggart at this aspect of the game and second, it’s lets Taggart focus on other things that come with being a head coach not just the offense.

Anyway, FSU football needs Bell to have a heck of a first drive scripted. Too many times this year, FSU’s offense gets going way too late and we cannot have that anymore. We have to have some positive momentum and not keep going three and out.

Don’t let Notre Dame QB Brandon Wimbush outside of the pocket

One thing FSU does have going for them is that they get a lot of sacks, but they tend to struggle with dual-threat QBs like Wimbush. Ian Book is hurt, so backup or former starter Wimbush will get the green light.

He has experience and played well in the early parts of 2017, but after a blowout loss to Miami last year he kind of just fell off. However, FSU football is not in a position to take anyone lightly as they let almost everybody light them up. They need to be prepared to stop Wimbush on designed runs and busted plays.

Score Prediction

34-14, Notre Dame. After last week’s embarrassment, I kind of just accepted the fact that FSU football is not a good team and this week we’re facing a very good one. I can’t see anything where FSU comes out of this game on top – unless they do everything listed above.