Five Things: FSU-Syracuse

At 5-0, top-ranked Florida State heads to Syracuse after its most convincing victory of the 2014 season. After topping Wake Forest 43-3, the Seminoles will be taking on 2-3 Syracuse, who lost to Louisville at home last Friday by a 28-6 margin.

Florida State enters the contest on a 21-game winning streak and will look to extend it against Syracuse in its first trip to the Carrier Dome since 2004. FSU trounced the Orange 59-3 in Tallahassee last season and have won the last six in the series overall. To break down Saturday’s ACC Atlantic division showdown, Noled Out editor Mike Ferguson and staff writer Jon Marchant give you “Five Things”:

1. On Syracuse

Mike Ferguson: After winning seven of its final 11 games last season, Syracuse is off to a less than stellar start. The Orange will be without arguably their best player this week as quarterback Terrel Hunt is nursing a leg injury.

Jon Marchant: Florida State plays at Syracuse this weekend at noon. The Orange are a little vulnerable, having lost their starting quarterback and demoted their offensive coordinator. That’s not a great setup for welcoming in the #1 team in the country.

2. Players to Watch for FSU

Mike Ferguson: On the offensive side of the ball this week, look for another big game from sophomore running back Mario Pender. Pender finished with a career-high 70 yards rushing against Wake Forest and should get more carries this week with Karlos Williams nursing an ankle injury. On defense, Mario Edwards Jr. shined in his return from a concussion last week and will look to get after the quarterback again this week.

Jon Marchant: The player to watch this week is quarterback Jameis Winston. He has been committing early turnovers in games and needs to come out looking sharp and focused. With Notre Dame on deck, the goal is to get a big lead early and then get off the field.

3. Biggest Concern for FSU

Mike Ferguson: For Florida State this week, the biggest concern may be complacency. The Seminoles are a week away from hosting Notre Dame in a showdown that some have been talking about for weeks. Syracuse is just 2-3 and without its quarterback, making this a prime opportunity for a less than inspired effort.

Jon Marchant: The biggest concern here is injuries, again. FSU has now lost starting nose guard Nile Lawrence-Stample for the year to a torn pectoral and starting center Austin Barron to a broken arm for at least several weeks, possibly the season. It is interesting that FSU is the only team in the country to have played at least two current top 25 teams and still be undefeated. Making it more impressive is the fact that the Seminoles have not played all 22 starters in a single game this season. FSU was very lucky when it came to injuries during its 2013 title run, but has not been lucky at all so far in 2014. Florida State needs to get healthy before the two biggest regular season games left in Notre Dame and Louisville.

4. X-Factor for FSU

Mike Ferguson: An important factor for Florida State this week will be how well the Seminoles finish drives on offense. After putting up a perfect red zone percentage against North Carolina State, FSU settled for five Roberto Aguayo field goals last week. Last season, the ‘Noles were very good when it came to finding the end zone from inside the 20. They have not been nearly as effective this year.

Jon Marchant: The X-factor in the game against Syracuse will be the running game. With Karlos Williams likely out, Mario Pender should get the starting nod. The ‘Noles desperately need the running game to be thoroughly vetted in time for Notre Dame next week.

5. FSU Wins If…

Mike Ferguson: As was the case last week, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Florida State doesn’t win this contest. Against a struggling offense however, it is important that Florida State puts forward another solid defensive effort and is able to be balanced offensively.

Jon Marchant: FSU should win this game if it doesn’t look ahead to Notre Dame next week, which is a tough thing to ask as the game will be a top 10 and maybe even a top 5 match-up and is the spot of ESPN’s College Gameday broadcast (FSU’s 3rd selection in eight weeks this year). If FSU comes out focused and takes care of business, it will run away with this. If it doesn’t, Florida State might find itself in a trap game scenario in the fourth quarter.