FSU football: 5 MAJOR keys to victory for Noles against SMU Mustangs
By Kelvin Hunt
Contain SMU Running Game
SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee is similar to Mike Norvell. Both want to establish the running game to open the pass. SMU comes into the contest averaging 4.96 yards per rush. They average 5.87 yards per play but averaged 6.14 yards per play with their new starting quarterback against TCU last week. TCU's defense is nowhere near FSU. They rank No. 80 nationally, and FSU ranks No. 25.
SMU's best running back averaged 7.17 yards per rush and has six rushing touchdowns. Starting QB Kevin Jennings will likely average 8-12 rushing attempts, similar to Thomas Castellanos. FSU has been fine against the traditional run game, but it's been mobile quarterbacks that have done the most damage because it's another player to account for.
FSU must contain Kevin Jennings but not let the TCU running back get off the same way Boston College's running backs ran wild. Some of that was because FSU's offense only ran six plays in the first half against Boston College, and the defense probably got gassed in the second half.
They must be aware of Jennings scrambling on third down and his propensity to run QB draws and RPOs.