The 2016 schedule for Florida State isn’t an easy one. FSU will face last year’s national runner-up in Clemson, the 2015 ACC Coastal champion North Carolina Tar Heels, SEC East champ Florida and Sugar Bowl winner Ole Miss.
If there’s a drop-off for Florida State however, it will come in the last month of the season. Of the 11 FBS teams that FSU faces this season, eight made a bowl game a year ago. The Seminoles will get two of the three who didn’t in November.
With that said, here’s the match-up to watch for in each of Florida State’s final four games:
at N.C. State, Nov. 5
Key Match-Up: FSU Offensive Line vs. N.C. State Defensive Line
N.C. State has good skill players on offense and a big question at quarterback, but defensively, the strength for the Wolfpack will be up front. Defensive end Bradley Chubb might be the best of the bunch with B.J. Hill and Kentavius Street both solid on the interior. N.C. State will be facing an FSU offensive line that returns five starters and if the Wolfpack have any chance of upsetting the Seminoles, they’ll need to win the battle up front. That hasn’t happened in recent years as FSU has averaged more than 525 yards and more than 46 points against N.C. State the last three years.
Boston College, Nov. 11
Key Match-Up: Patrick Towles vs. FSU Secondary
Stopping Florida State wasn’t a problem last season for Boston College, but scoring points was as the Eagles were shut out at home 14-0. Even with defensive coordinator Don Brown gone, Boston College should still be pretty good on defense. Quarterback Patrick Towles, a Kentucky transfer, hopes to make the Eagles something other than abysmal on offense. Last season, Boston College ranked 124th nationally in passer rating, 125th in passing yards per game and 126th in completion percentage. Towles has been inconsistent during his career and will be facing one of the nation’s best secondaries led by safety Derwin James and cornerback Marquez White.
at Syracuse, Nov. 19
Key Match-Up: Eric Dungey vs. FSU Defense
Sophomore quarterback Eric Dungey had an injury-riddled 2015 campaign for the Orange and because Syracuse was 4-8, probably didn’t get the credit he deserved. He might not be Deshaun Watson, but Dungey is an exciting dual-threat player to watch and can keep games interesting and might be the perfect fit for new head coach Dino Babers’ system. FSU did a good job for the most part last season with mobile quarterbacks, but Dunegy rushed for Syracuse’s only two offensive touchdowns in a 45-21 FSU victory in Tallahassee. If Syracuse has any chance of making this a 4-quarter fight, it needs a big day from Dungey.
vs. Florida, Nov. 26
Key Match-Up: FSU Receivers vs. Florida Secondary
Florida hasn’t been able to beat Florida State in any of the last three years, but over the last two, the Gator secondary has been able to hold the FSU receivers in check. Florida State has just 285 total passing yards against Florida in the last two meetings and 132 or nearly half of those receiving yards and all three receiving touchdowns have come from backs and tight ends. Cornerback Jalen Tabor and safety Marcus Maye headline the Florida secondary. For Florida State to put this one away, the Seminoles will need guys like Travis Rudolph or Kermit Whitfield to get separation and make plays down the field.
Phil Kelly/FSU athletics
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