Florida State will look to start the season 2-0 for a fifth straight year on Saturday as the Seminoles play host to South Florida. FSU opened the year by defeating Texas State 59-16 while the Bulls blasted Florida A&M, 51-3. The contest will be just the third ever meeting between the schools with Florida State coming in a heavy favorite. Each member of the Noled Out staff will break down the game with “Five Things”.
1. On South Florida
Mike Ferguson: The last few years have been tough ones for South Florida as the Bulls are just 10-27 since the start of 2012. The biggest problem for USF has been putting points on the board as the Bulls have very few offensive weapons outside of running back Marlon Mack. South Florida however, has speed on defense and give a max effort on that side of the ball.
Clint Eiland: The Bulls were a 4-8 team last year that looked much worse than the record would indicate. Their wins came against teams with an overall record of 12-36, and that’s only because FCS Western Carolina had seven of those wins. Head coach Willie Taggart has shown very little progress in building a competitive program that could in any way jostle with top AAC teams. The Bulls’ run defense is decent, but the pass defense is near nonexistent. A poor offense lost seven starters and it’s hard to see where they’re going to get points. Quite frankly, Texas State might have been a better team than USF.
Jon Marchant: Florida State (1-0) hosts the South Florida Bulls (1-0) this week. Coached by Willie Taggart, the Bulls went 2-10 in 2013 – his first year and the program’s first in the American Conference. While they improved to 4-8 last year, USF hasn’t been to a bowl game since 2010. Taggart tried to play the Jim Harbaugh-at-Stanford traditional offense approach but the Bulls were woefully overmatched and played poorly, so they have transitioned this offseason to an offense that many under-talented programs feel they have to run to compete — the up-tempo spread. Under Taggart, the Bulls have also changed their base defense three times. They will be worse on offense than Texas State but much better on defense.
2. Players to Watch for FSU
Ferguson: The biggest key for the Florida State defense in this contest will be stopping the run, which it did an excellent job of last week. The guys I like in this one are the two senior FSU linebackers, Terrance Smith and Reggie Northrup. Smith and Northrup will not only be important in slowing down Marlon Mack, but they’ll be in pass coverage against freshman tight end Elkanah Dillon — USF’s leading receiver.
Eiland: DeMarcus Walker might be an unusual candidate to choose, but the junior defensive end has been touted highly coming into the season. He only had 2 tackles against Texas State, but it was clear that he was making more of an impact than numbers would show. USF lost three linemen (right tackle, left tackle, center) and you have to think that Florida State has noticed. Walker could have a big day if he starts to bully the offensive line early.
Marchant: All eyes should again be on FSU quarterback Everett Golson. As the schedule eases him into his role as the starting quarterback, it’s worth paying attention to how he fares against better (albeit slightly) competition. The running game with Dalvin Cook seems like the strength of this offense so how the passing game develops and Golson’s chemistry with the young ‘Nole receiving corps will be the storyline of the season.
3. Biggest Concern for FSU
Ferguson: The biggest concern for Florida State in this one is that it will get caught looking ahead. South Florida hasn’t won consecutive games in almost two years and with a long trip to Boston College on a short week coming up, it could be easy for the Seminoles to lose focus. Keeping eyes on the task at hand will be the most important thing FSU can do this week.
Eiland: USF has a very talented and proven defensive line which could give the FSU offense some fits. Texas State last week did not have near the athletes that the Bulls do and so the fact that the right side of the FSU line was still struggling has got to be concerning. While they might not win them the game, the Bulls’ D-line might keep it close for a while and prevent Dalvin Cook, Mario Pender and Everett Golson from getting into a rhythm.
Marchant: FSU should win handily so it will be crucial to get out of a non-important non-conference game without any key injuries. However, I don’t believe that is the biggest concern. This team has repeatedly stated it is hungrier and has better chemistry than the arguably underachieving team of 2014 that often played selfishly and/or took plays (games) off. This team aspires to be more like the 2013 national championship team which famously treated every opponent like a faceless enemy and was relentless in its pursuit to destroy every team that was placed in front of it. I believe this is a “prove it” moment for this young team that may show us what its made of. Will it slack off against the second overmatched opponent in a row or go all out, play hard on every play and leave no doubt?
4. X-Factor for FSU
Ferguson: I’m really looking forward to checking out sophomore receiver Ja’Vonn Harrison again this week. Harrison had the Seminoles’ longest play from scrimmage last week, led the team in receiving and is progressing nicely after playing sparingly last season. Like Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph, Harrison is a big receiver, but is quietly proving to be one who can stretch the field.
Eiland: How the offensive line performs will be the biggest indicator of success in this game, because it’s the one place where USF could make an impact. A good offensive line that repels the Bulls could spell an even bigger blowout than in the Texas State game.
Marchant: The X-factor for this game is the weather. The current forecast predicts a 60 percent chance to rain with scattered thunderstorms. A soaked turf could slow down the much faster Seminoles and make injury a dangerous possibility.
5. FSU Wins If…
Ferguson: For the second week in a row, it would appear that only self-destruction could keep the Seminoles from a victory. After muffing a pair of punts last week, special teams looks to be the biggest area of concern. If FSU avoids silly mistakes like turnovers, penalties and breakdowns in coverage, this one has the potential to be a laugher in a hurry.
Eiland: …it can control the line of scrimmage and give Everett Golson enough room to operate. While fans may still have nightmares about the 2009 game, this team is much better and USF is much worse. A decent offensive showing will be enough to win the game.
Marchant: Florida State will win if it can limit its turnovers to no more than one and avoid taking the game for an automatic win.
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