Florida State (2-5) returns home to face Syracuse (4-4) in desperate search of a win — the Seminoles must win out in order to make a bowl game. Joining The Daily Nole to preview Saturday’s 12:20 p.m. EST kickoff is Syracuse.com’s Nate Mink. Our questions and his answers can be found below.
Syracuse enters Saturday’s contest as narrow underdogs. What were your expectations for the Orange this season?
Mink: Having gone through a year of getting to know the expectations of this new coaching staff, there was an anticipation Syracuse would show significant improvement, though it remained uncertain whether that improvement would show up in the overall record.
Heading into the final month of the season, that has played out to a certain extent, though it is exceptionally impressive SU has been in every game this season against one of the toughest schedules in the country. And, nobody outside the program expected it to beat Clemson.
Given that, there is a reasonable hope that SU could flourish over these final four games, given the developments that have hit its remaining opponents since the start of the season, and, more importantly, given the potential this SU team has shown it can reach on any given week.
FSU’s offense is coming off a nightmarish performance against Boston College. How will the Syracuse defense attack the Seminole offense?
Mink: SU won’t overwhelm you, but it has managed to keep several very key defensive players healthy throughout the season that enables it to have success, specifically, Chris Slayton at the 3-technique and linebackers Zaire Franklin and Parris Bennett. The supporting cast around those veterans have or are getting more and more experience by the week, and they do a terrific job of playing as a cohesive unit.
I think last year’s poor defensive effort occurred for myriad reasons, including playing true freshmen, running a new system for the first time and playing very good offenses with good quarterbacks.
Given FSU’s situation at quarterback, I expect SU to want to disrupt him and make him have to string together long scoring drives.
Who are some lesser-known players that fans should watch out for on Saturday? Which players do you think will have the most success, whether it be on offense or defense?
Mink: The three bellcows that have shown up each week offensively have been quarterback Eric Dungey and receivers Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips.
But Syracuse is at its best when it spreads the ball around and forces the defense to account for different targets. To that end, tight end Ravian Pierce and running back Dontae Strickland can significantly aid the offense’s effort. This offense is a nightmare to defend if the running game is churning out three to five yards a carry, especially late in the game.
Defensively, Slayton will not fill up the stat sheet, but he is the most important part of what the Orange do defensively, allowing the linebackers to swallow up plays near the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Alton Robinson has also been a huge addition from the junior college ranks this offseason.
Which match-ups do you like for Syracuse’s defense against the Seminole offense, and vice versa? Which ones concern you?
Mink: Despite SU’s success against Clemson, I’d still worry how the offensive line will hold up against guys like (Brian) Burns, (Derrick) Nnadi and (Josh) Sweat.
Auden Tate is a big target and will probably draw Chris Fredrick on the perimeter. SU is thin at safety, so it’s going to be on Fredrick to hold his own out there.
I’m really most intrigued to see how FSU will utilize Derwin James. Will they put him on Philips or can a linebacker handle that responsibility in the slot? Does James spy Dungey to keep him in the pocket and take away his running?
Steve Ishmael on Tarvarus McFadden is the other fascinating one. A big game will only help Ishmael’s tape when it comes time for NFL evaluators to gauge his ability.
Finally, give us a prediction. Who comes out of Doak Campbell Stadium with a win on Saturday?
Mink: I usually side with the more talented roster, particularly if there is a decisive advantage at the line of scrimmage, but this SU team is coming off a bye week, got a little more healthy, and is knocking on the door for a road win. They’ll have another chance in a couple weeks at Louisville, but this is a golden opportunity against a freshman quarterback to play well defensively.
Syracuse 27, Florida State 23
Big thanks to Nate Mink for helping us preview Saturday’s contest. For all things Syracuse, follow Nate on Twitter and catch his work at Syracuse.com.
Game Info
Florida State vs. Syracuse
Time: 12:20 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: ACC Network/XM Radio 81
Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole. You can find him on Twitter @JoshDMixon.
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