Staff Keys to the Game: Delaware State at FSU

For once, Florida State looks poised for a comfortable win.

Delaware State comes into Saturday’s contest one of the worst teams in the FCS, and Jimbo Fisher’s team should have a field day. Here to give our keys to the game is The Daily Nole editor Mike Ferguson and staff writer Joshua Mixon.

Mike Ferguson, editor

Stay healthy
 
In addition to getting the win, which barring a miracle will happen, Florida State needs to come out of Saturday’s homecoming contest injury-free. The margin for error for making a bowl game is small and FSU needs to unscathed for the final two games against Florida and Louisiana-Monroe.
 
Play a smooth game
 
The result for this one should never really be in doubt, but this game needs to serve as a confidence builder for FSU moving forward. For that to happen, Florida State needs to have things go smoothly. The Seminoles are likely to win by a large margin, but turnovers and penalties that thwart scoring opportunities or make things more difficult than they need to be would serve as somewhat of a damper. The Seminoles need to come out of this one feeling good about themselves.
 
Play with enthusiasm
 
Disappointing losses have become a theme for Florida State. It is coming off another one against Clemson and with Saturday’s contest with Delaware State coming a week before the rivalry showdown with Florida, it would be easy for FSU to go through the motions. While that would probably still be good enough to win handily, Jimbo Fisher’s team needs to play well and leave the contest with something to build on. Playing inspired would say more about this team than anything the final score will read.
 
Joshua Mixon, staff writer
 
Build some positive momentum
 
Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is as intimidating as a stadium can be, so the Seminoles need to play loose and comfortable and build some confidence heading into Gainesville. FSU’s pure talent should be enough to carry the Noles to victory on Saturday, so they need to take this opportunity to build some confidence before heading to Florida with their season — and bowl eligibility — on the line.
 
Let Blackman play his game
 
James Blackman needs something to go right. The freshman really struggled on the road against Clemson and was visibly upset with himself on the sideline following his late interception. Against a team like Delaware State, Blackman has the opportunity to sit back, relax, and let the game come to him — making correct reads, focusing on basic fundamentals (not fumbling a hand-off) and making confident throws are all things he can work on against the Hornets.