College football’s reigning national champions are less than 72 hours away from beginning its title defense as #1 Florida State heads to AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Saturday to face Oklahoma State in prime time. The nationally televised contest could prove to be a real challenge as the Cowboys finished 10-3 a season ago and narrowly missed capturing a second Big XII crown in three years.
While the Seminoles enter as a big favorite on Saturday, a solid performance will be necessary to get the victory. Editor Mike Ferguson and staff writer Jon Marchant break down Florida State’s season-opener in Dallas with “Five Things”:
1. On Oklahoma State
Mike Ferguson: Under head coach Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State has quietly become not only one of the premier programs in the Big XII, but one of the 15 best teams in the nation on an annual basis. Rarely do the Cowboys lack offensive firepower and like FSU, Oklahoma State has three 10-win seasons over the last four years. Had it not been for a tragedy that struck the university in 2011 and a Thursday night upset loss to Iowa State, it may have been Oklahoma State that halted the SEC’s BCS title streak two years prior to Florida State doing so last season.
Jon Marchant: Florida State opens the 2014 season against Oklahoma State in “Jerry World”, otherwise known as AT&T Stadium this Saturday in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys have been consistently good under 10th-year head coach Mike Gundy. The last time we saw the Pokes, they lost to a good Missouri team 41-31 in the A&T Cotton Bowl. They return the fewest lettermen in all of college football this year. Despite that, Oklahoma State always has talent. I expect them to improve a lot as the season goes on and to make another bowl game, extending their school record to eight consecutive appearances. Unfortunately for them, they play the reigning national champions in the first week.
2. Players to Watch for FSU
Mike Ferguson: For Florida State to be able to seize control of this game early, it’ll need a solid start from the new faces that make up the front seven. Defensive lineman Derrick Mitchell and linebacker Reggie Northrup have each waited patiently for their opportunities to prove what they can do and will begin the season in the starting lineup. On offense, the country gets to see what reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston can do for an encore. In last season’s opener, the Florida State quarterback went 25-for-27 passing with five total touchdowns in his first-ever collegiate game.
Jon Marchant: As always, all eyes will be on Jameis Winston. With the running game a bigger factor for Florida State this year, the Seminole backfield will have a chance to showcase its talents. Karlos Williams is the starter here, but Mario Pender and freshman Dalvin Cook will each get their chances. The other group to watch is the interior of Florida State’s defensive line. How healthy is Nile Lawrence-Stample? How much has Derrick Mitchell improved? Just how good is true freshman Derrick Nnadi? Answering these questions will go a long way towards determining if Florida State will be back in Arlington in January.
3. Biggest Concern for FSU
Mike Ferguson: The place where Oklahoma State could give the Seminoles the most trouble on Saturday is up front. With a lot of new faces up front defensively and at linebacker for FSU, the Cowboys could have an advantage against the Florida State rush defense. The Seminoles are extremely thin at defensive tackle and if Oklahoma State can sustain drives behind feature back Desmond Roland, it may be able to keep this one interesting for longer than most expect.
Jon Marchant: Injuries. Florida State won’t repeat its ridiculous injury luck of 2013. Some starters are bound to go down. With the season potentially being a game longer (up to 15 now) with the new College Football Playoff, avoiding injuries is more important than ever. If FSU has any hopes of repeating its run and becoming just the second team in modern football to go back-to-back, it has to stay healthy. Linebacker and the interior of the defensive line are key areas of concern with the thinnest depth charts on the roster.
4. X-Factor for FSU
Mike Ferguson: True freshmen. Florida State is very high on a number of kids that it was able to reel in on National Signing Day, but none have yet to play a collegiate game. In Saturday’s contest in Dallas, many will get their first taste of game action. Defensively, Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas may be asked to fill in at defensive tackle while on offense, receivers Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph, will get reps for a receiving corps that outside of senior Rashad Greene, returns just 21 receptions from last season.
Jon Marchant: Turnovers. FSU should win easily. The Seminoles are more talented, more experienced, and as it’s the first game of the season, energy will not be a concern. With the bright lights and pent-up energy of the fans and the players, what you want to see is discipline; not playing out of control, not committing stupid mistakes, penalties and costly turnovers.
5. FSU Wins If…
Mike Ferguson: For Florida State to start 1-0 for a fifth straight season, it must do two things: take care of the ball offensively and get off the field on third down defensively. The Seminoles enter this contest with a decided edge in talent and experience. Unless Florida State gives Oklahoma State easy scoring opportunities with turnovers and allows the Cowboys’ offense to stay on the field to sustain drives and shorten the game, Saturday night should belong to the Seminoles.
Jon Marchant: FSU shows up. Florida State must come in focused and not looking back on last season. It’s as simple as that.
