Can FSU Continue Offensive Success Against Louisville?

Despite a plethora of talent on defense over the last couple years, Florida State hasn’t had problems putting up big numbers against Louisville.

Since joining the ACC Atlantic division in 2014, the Cardinals have allowed the Seminoles to score 40 points in each of the two meetings. After rallying from 21 downs to top the Cardinals 42-31 in its last trip to Louisville in 2014, FSU scored touchdowns on its first five second half possessions last season in Tallahassee to walk away 41-21 winners.

The comeback in 2014 was spearheaded by a Herculean effort by then reigning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston, who on a bad ankle, overcame early turnover problems to pass for more than 400 yards and three touchdowns. The night also served as welcoming to the big stage for then freshman running back Dalvin Cook.

Cook rushed for 110 yards on just nine carries and two touchdowns, including the 38-yard scamper with under four minutes to play to put the Seminoles ahead for good. For the evening, FSU put up 574 yards against a Louisville defense that had six players go on to be selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, including the nation’s leader in interceptions, safety Gerod Holliman.

Against a defense led last year by defensive end and 2016 first round pick Sheldon Rankins, the Seminoles put up 510 yards and 41 points. Cook was again unstoppable, rushing for 163 yards and two scores on 22 carries while Everett Golson had perhaps his best game as a Seminole, finishing with a season-high 372 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Golson’s big day however, wasn’t fueled by continual shots down the field, but screens and dump-offs resulting in significant yardage after the catch. Kermit Whitfield finished with a career-high 170 yards receiving in the win.

“Our pride was hurt a little bit last year after the Florida State game with the way we played on defense,” said Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino during Wednesday’s ACC teleconference.

In a game Saturday that may be the biggest for Louisville since the fifth-ranked Cardinals defeated No. 3 West Virginia on a Thursday night in 2006, points aren’t expected to be hard to come by. Louisville leads the nation, averaging 66 points per game while FSU sits at 14th, averaging 48.5 per contest.

Against defenses looking to take away Cook and the ground game, Florida State’s biggest strength has been in the passing game. Louisville’s defense has been relatively strong in that facet, allowing just 3.5 yards per pass attempt and only about a 42 percent completion rate. Louisville also ranks 12th nationally with 18 tackles for loss and 10th with eight sacks.

Though Louisville has not played the greatest competition in Charlotte and Syracuse, the Cardinals still boast one of the more talented defenses FSU will face and maybe the best contingent from linebackers back to the secondary. Defensive tackle DeAngelo Brown, linebackers Keith Kelsey and Devonte Fields, cornerback Trumaine Washington and safety Josh Harvey-Clemons are all NFL prospects. Saturday’s game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium will be the first time that FSU redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois has faced a hostile crowd.

Despite all the NFL talent for Louisville and mediocre competition faced to this point however, the Cardinals rank just 66th out of 128 teams in the S&P+ defensive rankings. The FSU offensive rank, according to S&P+, is fourth.

Although the Cardinals are among the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss, Louisville has got the majority of that production with linebackers blitzing and bringing pressure in a 3-4 scheme. Only one of the Cardinals’ eight sacks have come from a defensive lineman.

Louisville was able to pressure Golson consistently in last year’s meeting against what was a young offensive line, but screens and quick, short passes were able to circumvent the pressure and create big plays. With Cook’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and small, speedy receivers like Whitfield and Jesus Wilson, don’t be surprised to see FSU take a similar approach on Saturday.

Though the Seminoles had success throwing the ball underneath and letting receivers pick up yards after the catch last year, FSU could also be more apt to mix up the receiving corps this week. With Nyqwan Murray seen in a walking boot Tuesday, bigger receivers like Auden Tate and Keith Gavin could be options to fill in.

Tate, a 6-5 sophomore, scored his first career touchdown last week while FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said on Monday that Gavin, a freshman, could begin to see a bigger role. Louisville has struggled with bigger receivers this year, like Syracuse’s Amba Etta-Tawo, who finished with 103 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns last week.

Florida State could be without starting fullback Freddie Stevenson, who scored a touchdown against Louisville two years ago, on Saturday, but could also be closer to full strength on the offensive line after starting guards Kareem Are and Wilson Bell both practiced on Tuesday. That’s been the weakest contingent thus far for the FSU offense, but if it can take steps this week and Francois can take care of the ball, it’s hard not to see the Seminoles having offensive success against the Cardinals for the third straight year.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson