The Daily Nole

FSU Football: Key Match-ups for Every October Contest

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The second month of the 2017 season for Florida State brings pivotal conference match-ups. The marquee match-up during the month of October comes on the 21st as the Seminoles face Louisville.

As the season gets into full swing and conference play fully begins, the Seminoles have a stretch in October that won’t be easy, but it is a significant drop-off from September.

Here are the intriguing match-ups to watch in every October game for the Seminoles:

at Duke, Oct. 14
Key Match-up:
FSU running backs vs. Duke defense
Duke looks to be an overmatched team in this game, but there is hope for the defense. Linebackers Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris return for a defense that ranked just 11th in the ACC against the run in 2016. With that being the case, expect Florida State to rely heavily on the combination of Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick on the ground. In three prior meetings against David Cutcliffe-coached Duke teams, FSU has averaged more than 247 yards per game on the ground.

vs. Louisville, Oct. 21
Key Match-up:
FSU secondary vs. Lamar Jackson
FSU fans certainly remember what happened last season in Louisville as the Cardinals scored more points against the Seminoles than any team ever in a 63-20 victory. The Seminoles’ secondary must find a way to contain Cardinals’ quarterback Lamar Jackson through the air and slow him down on the ground. Jackson hurt the Seminoles in both passing and rushing last season to the tune of five total touchdowns, but FSU has a loaded defense this season led by safety Derwin James. James missed last season’s contest against the Cardinals, but in Tallahassee in 2015, recorded six tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.

at Boston College, Oct. 27
Key Match-up:
Deondre Francois vs BC defense
Although it’s hard to say the same for the Boston College offense, the defense has been outstanding in recent years. That however, didn’t stop FSU quarterback Deondre Francois from tossing three touchdowns and the Seminoles from putting up 45 points last season in Tallahassee. With the nation’s leading sack man in Harold Landry returning along with leading tackler Connor Strachan, Boston College will have to have a big night defensively and probably turn Florida State over a couple times to have a chance.

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