Florida State must win the remainder of its games to become bowl eligible, and it all starts on Saturday with a 12:20 p.m. EST kickoff against Syracuse.
The Seminoles come into the contest winless at home in 2017 and hope to notch that elusive first home victory against a Syracuse team that upset Clemson and nearly pulled out an away win versus Miami. Needless to say, it won’t be easy for the home team. Thankfully, our staff is here to tell the Noles, and you, what they must do in order to avoid disaster on Saturday.
Mike Ferguson, editor
Win the battle up front
If there was ever a game for Florida State to dominate in the trenches, it’s this one — on both sides of the ball. The maligned offensive line will be facing a Syracuse defense that has an ACC-low 10 sacks on the year and has just one player with more than a single sack. Defensively, FSU takes on a Syracuse offensive line that has yielded 25 sacks. That should spell for a big day for the likes of Brian Burns, Josh Sweat and Derrick Nnadi. If FSU doesn’t win up front, it probably won’t win the game.
Finish drives
Florida State is the lowest scoring team in the ACC for a number of reasons, but perhaps none are bigger than its inability to finish drives. The Seminoles have come away with just nine touchdowns in 22 red zone possessions this season. The game seemed to turn last week against Boston College when James Blackman and Cam Akers were unable to complete a hand-off inside the BC 10-yard-line. The ball hit the ground, Boston College recovered and FSU never made it a game again. With points at a premium this season, Florida State must find a way to score touchdowns.
Care
At 2-5, Florida State comes in as a fragile football team. The Seminoles have lost three close games — two they probably should have won — and there is question as to how much fight they have left. Most have written off the possibility of a bowl game and are more focused on a coaching staff shakeup. Syracuse on the other hand, is just two wins away from a first bowl appearance since 2013. The Orange have already knocked off defending national champion Clemson and hung tough with the likes of LSU, N.C. State and Miami. FSU will need to play well to earn a victory.
Clint Eiland, lead writer
Force Dungey into mistakes
The weather certainly played a part in Eric Dungey’s four interceptions and one fumble in a 27-19 loss at Miami two weeks ago. But he has still thrown eight interceptions and fumbled twice this year, so he can be forced into coughing it up. The defense needs that in order to help what will probably be an inconsistent offensive outing.
Give James Blackman confidence
Pass defense is probably the weakest part of Syracuse’s team. It doesn’t help that FSU suffered wide receiver injuries, but the Seminoles can still gash the Orange if they give Blackman chances. He needs to build confidence and be reminded that there’s still players who care.
Figure it out, Jimbo
At this point in the season, the players who don’t care should not be on the field. Somewhere along the line, the veteran players who don’t try are more detrimental to the team than the young players who genuinely compete and make mistakes. Head coach Jimbo Fisher needs this message to resonate or else the entire team (not just a portion) will turn on him.
Joshua Mixon, staff writer
Play up to your talent level
Something the Noles haven’t done since the first half of the Alabama game is play up to their true talent level. Sure, there have been spurts here and there, but this season will forever be a season of “what-ifs”, mainly due to FSU’s inconsistencies and constant knack to play down to its opponent’s level. Eric Dungey is a dangerous quarterback — probably the second or third best on FSU’s schedule — and if the Noles lay an egg like last week, well, let’s just say the Doak Campbell crowd won’t be too pleased.
Protect your quarterback
ESPN’s Jesse Palmer said after FSU’s win over Wake Forest that the Noles’ offensive line is “the worst Power 5 position group in the country.” While I usually make it a point to avoid directly criticizing players, he’s not too far off. This group has been horrid this season and looked every bit like the worst position group in America during Friday night’s drubbing at BC. Jimbo Fisher’s offense relies heavily on good quarterback play — play that can’t happen if the said quarterback can’t complete a simple 3-step drop without a defender in his face.
Care
Like Mike said above, this game really will come down to how much fight the Seminoles have left in them. If you read my prediction (and if you haven’t, you should), I made it clear that I don’t think they have any left. However, if — and this is a big if — the Noles actually show up, they actually stand a decent chance of winning. You’re a talented group. It’s Parents Weekend. Come on, give your home fans something to cheer about.
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