Staff Keys to the Game: Louisiana-Monroe at FSU

Florida State enters Saturday’s contest in the wake of a massive shake-up, with Jimbo Fisher bolting to take the Texas A&M coaching job.

While interim head coach Odell Haggins is a well-respected figure among the Seminole team and fan base, Louisiana-Monroe still stands before FSU and bowl-eligibility. No pressure.

Fear not. The Daily Nole staff is here to give you this season’s next-to-last keys for an FSU victory. This week, Mike Ferguson and Clint Eiland will tell you just what the Noles must do to clinch bowl eligibility.

Mike Ferguson, editor

Get rid of the clutter

With Jimbo Fisher out as Florida State’s head football coach, it seems fitting to use a Fisher phrase. With all the speculation about Fisher’s future and now shift to College Station, the contest with Louisiana-Monroe seems to have gotten lost in the mix. The Seminoles can’t come into Saturday’s contest unfocused.

Play mistake-free

FSU comes into Saturday’s contest as a 27-point favorite over the Warhawks. While ULM has put up points against Sun Belt opponents, it ranks near the bottom of FBS in virtually every defensive statistical category. The only way Florida State loses on Saturday is through turnovers, blown assignments and self-inflicted wounds.

Build confidence

Assuming nothing catastrophic happens, Florida State should win on Saturday and by a wide margin. The contest should offer FSU the opportunity to play a lot of players and continue to build confidence after two resounding victories over Delaware State and Florida.

Clint Eiland, lead writer

Put all the noise aside

It’s going to be near impossible for the Seminoles to have their heads fully in the game. But players will need to focus on the task at hand and finish out the season against an opponent who is categorically weaker. Whether that means relying on each other or coaches not named Fisher, it needs to happen.

 Contain the pass

ULM has some talented wide receivers who have seen great success in the offensive system. FSU shouldn’t have much trouble stopping the run, but the passing is a slightly different story. Keep the receivers blanketed and the Warhawks probably won’t be moving forward all that much.

Exploit talent gap on offense

ULM is statistically one of the worst defenses in the nation. FSU has some of the best talent on the offensive side of the ball, and the Seminoles have scored over 100 combined points in the past two games. They need to do what should be obvious and overpower the opponent.