FSU Football: The Match-Up to Watch for Each October Contest

Less than three weeks now separate us from the start of the 2016 season for Florida State. The Seminoles are coming off a 10-3 campaign and a fourth straight major bowl appearance, but are expected to do bigger things this season.

The slate for Florida State is relatively tough throughout, with September and October looking to be the toughest two months.

The biggest game all season for FSU is expected to come on Oct. 29 against Clemson at Doak Campbell Stadium. Looking at the entire slate for the month, here is the key match-up for each of the Seminoles’ four October contests:

vs. North Carolina, Oct. 1
Key Match-Up: Mitch Trubisky vs. FSU Secondary
North Carolina junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky will be starting in front of the most hostile crowd he’s faced when the Tar Heels visit Tallahassee to open October and how he handles it will determine whether North Carolina can pull the upset. Trubisky was excellent in relief of Marquise Williams last season, but whether that can translate over as a starter remains to be seen. Trubisky has talent around him, but the FSU secondary led by Marquez White and Derwin James might be the best he sees all year.

at Miami, Oct. 8
Key Match-Up: Dalvin Cook vs. Miami Run Defense
Over the last two seasons, Miami has had absolutely no answer for Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. In two meetings against the Hurricanes, the South Florida native has 379 total yards and five touchdowns, which includes fourth quarter game-winners in each of the last two seasons. With the exception of Jermaine Grace, Miami will boast a very inexperienced corps of linebackers. Unless Miami can find a way to slow Cook, FSU’s win streak over the Hurricanes will grow to seven.

vs. Wake Forest, Oct. 15
Key Match-Up: Cam Serigne vs. FSU Linebackers
Wake Forest hung tough with Florida State last season in a 24-16 loss in Winston-Salem and a big reason for that was Wake tight end Cam Serigne. Serigne caught 10 passes for 83 yards and the Demon Deacons’ only touchdown. Wake Forest hasn’t scored a touchdown in Tallahassee since shutting out the Seminoles in 2006, 30-0. For the FSU defense to keep that streak alive, its corps of linebackers which includes Matthew Thomas and Ro’Derrick Hoskins will need to find a way to quiet Serigne.

vs. Clemson, Oct. 29
Key Match-Up: Deshaun Watson vs. FSU Defense
The Oct. 29 contest between the Seminoles and Tigers is expected to be one of the biggest in the history of the ACC. If there’s one clear area where Clemson has an advantage, it’s at quarterback. Deshaun Watson carved up the FSU defense for more than 400 total yards last season in a 23-13 Clemson victory. For FSU to win this one, it will have to contain Watson by getting pressure with DeMarcus Walker and Josh Sweat and not allowing him to extend plays with his legs. While Watson is a very dangerous passer, the Seminoles may still have to put a spy on him. Expect them to use someone like Trey Marshall or perhaps even Derwin James.