It’s homecoming in Tallahassee on Saturday and there are few opponents that Florida State could have picked better than Delaware State. The Hornets, an FCS school from the MEAC, are just 2-8 on the year and are coming to Doak Campbell Stadium for a guaranteed $475,000 payday.
At 3-6, the Seminoles will be forced to win their final three games to become bowl-eligible for a 36th year in a row. Before FSU kicks things off on Saturday afternoon, here are five things to watch for from the contest:
1. James Blackman
After a pair of untimely turnovers with the game on the line over the last couple months, Florida State freshman quarterback James Blackman’s confidence may be shaken. Saturday should offer the perfect opportunity to get it back. Against a dismal FCS team in Delaware State, Blackman shouldn’t be under constant duress and he should have plenty of open targets. Blackman could really use a nice day to prepare him for Florida State’s final two games against rival Florida and Louisiana-Monroe.
2. FSU Points
Points, unlike in years past, have been hard to come by for Florida State this season. FSU ranks last in the ACC and 122nd in the country, averaging just 18.1 points per contest. Among Power 5 schools, only Illinois averages fewer. Again, Delaware State may be the remedy.
For the year, the Hornets are giving up more than 34 points per game against primarily FCS competition. That ranks just 106th in FCS. FSU hasn’t scored more than 28 points in any game this season. Delaware State has given up at least that in seven of its 10 games.
3. Freshmen
Playing against Delaware State should allow Florida State to get playing time for a lot of its younger players. Freshmen like Blackman, running back Cam Akers, defensive end Joshua Kaindoh, defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, cornerback Stanford Samuels and safety Hamsah Nasirildeen have all seen a lot of the field this season, but Saturday could be an opportunity for underutilized freshmen to see the field as well.
Among those could be tight end Tre’ McKitty, wide receiver D.J. Matthews, linebacker Leonard Warner and safety Cyrus Fagan among others. Don’t be surprised if redshirt freshmen like offensive linemen Andrew Boselli and Mike Arnold and defensive linemen Janarius Robinson and Cedric Wood also see more of the field than usual.
4. Seniors
Not only is Saturday homecoming for Florida State, but it’s Senior Day as well as 17 seniors will walk the field prior to the game. Notable ones include running back Ryan Green, wide receivers Ermon Lane, Malique Jackson and Jared Jackson, tackle Rick Leonard, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, linebackers Matthew Thomas, Jacob Pugh and Ro’Derrick Hoskins, safeties Trey Marshall and Nate Andrews and long snapper Stephen Gabbard. It could be an emotional day, so expect the seniors in action to play well.
5. Injuries
The result should never really be in doubt on Saturday, but Florida State would be best-served to make it out of this contest injury-free. With FSU needing to win its final three games to become bowl-eligible, it will need to be as close to full strength as it can be for the final two games. FSU fans will remember that it was against an FCS opponent last season in Charleston Southern that the Seminoles lost safety Derwin James for the year.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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