Athlon SU vs. FSU game analysis / prediction

[RF2044]

Florida State Seminoles vs. Syracuse Orange Prediction and Preview



Let's Go Orange!!!

 

[Eric15]

I think we can absolutely win this game, but I think FSU is much, much better than they have displayed in their first two weeks. The 24-3 blowout to Va Tech was a bit misleading -- they outgained the Hokies in total yards, it was the 5-0 turnover margin that did them in. And then I chalk up the Samford game to being disinterested.

Basically, I expect FSU to be FSU on Saturday.

 

[texascpa]

"played on a bad ankle" You mean played on a broken foot?

 

[NineOneSeven]

I think we can absolutely win this game, but I think FSU is much, much better than they have displayed in their first two weeks. The 24-3 blowout to Va Tech was a bit misleading -- they outgained the Hokies in total yards, it was the 5-0 turnover margin that did them in. And then I chalk up the Samford game to being disinterested.

Basically, I expect FSU to be FSU on Saturday.

I've got a feeling FSU strikes very early. Hope I am wrong. And hope we respond.

 

[RF2044]

I think we can absolutely win this game, but I think FSU is much, much better than they have displayed in their first two weeks. The 24-3 blowout to Va Tech was a bit misleading -- they outgained the Hokies in total yards, it was the 5-0 turnover margin that did them in. And then I chalk up the Samford game to being disinterested.

Basically, I expect FSU to be FSU on Saturday.

That assessment suggests that you might not have watched either game, my friend.

They are in disarray. Outgaining VT in total yards = irrelevant benchmark, in a game where they never found the end zone and were substantially down the entire game. They also had to hang on by the skin of their teeth against Samford, a team you would have expected them to blow out after getting embarrassed by VT the week before on national TV.

Anomander is right -- nobody said this is going to be an easy game, but they are about to walk into a buzz saw Saturday coming up here to play.

 

[SUFan44]

Just get the feeling based on prior games like this that FSU will figure things out and show much better than they have to this point. Hope I’m wrong and it’s a defeatist attitude but I can’t afford to get my hopes up too much!

 

[upperdeck]

we could very well out play them all game and they still break 3-4 long plays and win 35-31. we have had 1 long pass and one long run all year. we wont grind it vs them very much.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Florida State is 8-7 in it's last 15 games. We are 6-8. We are home.

We should win the game. They are FSU in name only. They are not the same team of 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[TheCusian]

I think we can absolutely win this game, but I think FSU is much, much better than they have displayed in their first two weeks. The 24-3 blowout to Va Tech was a bit misleading -- they outgained the Hokies in total yards, it was the 5-0 turnover margin that did them in. And then I chalk up the Samford game to being disinterested.

Basically, I expect FSU to be FSU on Saturday.

They haven't been that FSU since 2016. I think it's likely they get better over the course of the season, but they look like a team installing two new schemes.

upperdeck is 100% right about getting big played to death. If our D looks like it did for the 3rd Q of the WMU game we won't win.

 

[RF2044]

we could very well out play them all game and they still break 3-4 long plays and win 35-31. we have had 1 long pass and one long run all year. we wont grind it vs them very much.

Yup -- coach kept things extremely vanilla on offense for two games. Which is why looking at stats alone from these two games isn't a very good barometer for what to expect.

Need to play better defensively, though, to your point.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Dino Babers era:

SU Scores first - 8-4
Opposition scores first - 2-12 (Colgate, BC, 2016 are the Ws)

Do not let them score first.

 

[upperdeck]

One thing we have this year, I think we have 2 rbs who can house it and i think we have 4-5 WR who can and I dont think we have had that for a long time.. the big question is can we get them into space.

 

[Doc5120]

One thing we have this year, I think we have 2 rbs who can house it and i think we have 4-5 WR who can and I dont think we have had that for a long time.. the big question is can we get them into space.

I wish I could say I agree. We may have 2 RB's who can take it to the house, but one is Abdul Adams, and he isn't suiting up tomorrow. Dontae Strickland does not scare anyone.

As for 4 or 5 WR's - I think we have some talent there, but other than Custis (who has been exceptional these first 2 games), no one else has proven it. N. Johnson, Harris & Devin Butler (if he remembers how to catch) seem like guys who could be those threats. But I'm still in wait & see mode.

I expect us to make a game of it, but regardless of record, this is still FSU. They have plenty of athletes on their roster. I'm approaching this game with cautious optimism.

 

[Chip]

"The Orange are off to a 2-0 start for the second time in Dino Babers' three years"

Yeah, I wish. That would mean we either beat the Heisman trophy winner in 2016 or Scott Shafer's defense in 2017.

 

[TheCusian]

Strickland is getting killed on here lately. He had a TD in each of the biggest wins of the past two years. While his per carry number is rough - he is capable of getting in the end zone and breaking off a run or catch a ball or two.

 

[orange_in_VA]

Dino Babers era:

SU Scores first - 8-4
Opposition scores first - 2-12 (Colgate, BC, 2016 are the Ws)

Do not let them score first.

I wonder what this looks like for home games. The team definitely seems to play better at home

 

[Doc5120]

Strickland is getting killed on here lately. He had a TD in each of the biggest wins of the past two years. While his per carry number is rough - he is capable of getting in the end zone and breaking off a run or catch a ball or two.

When I think of a college RB, I think of a guy who can get out in space and beat defenders. That is not Donate. He is an average, serviceable back. Averaged between 3.5 & 3.9 yds/carry each year. Longest runs by year of 21, 43, 49 & 20. Biggest year catching the ball was 2016 with 21 catches. He is not a homerun threat or a big time playmaker. I think that is a very fair assessment of him. It's OK for people to be critical of players. By all accounts, he's a hardworker, a solid blocker and has value. But to pretend he's something special or even above average, is just not true.

 

[Cuse12]

Dino Babers era:

SU Scores first - 8-4
Opposition scores first - 2-12 (Colgate, BC, 2016 are the Ws)

Do not let them score first.

Very telling stat. I would like to receive the ball first and drive right down the field. Set the tempo.

 

[orange_in_VA]

Very telling stat. I would like to receive the ball first and drive right down the field. Set the tempo.

Yes please! Let's get the game started right by getting the Dome rockin

 

[RMH44]

Strickland is getting killed on here lately. He had a TD in each of the biggest wins of the past two years. While his per carry number is rough - he is capable of getting in the end zone and breaking off a run or catch a ball or two.

Couldn't agree more. But, in many cases, the source(s) should definitely be considered.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Couldn't agree more. But, in many cases, the source(s) should definitely be considered.

I'd be shocked if we didn't see all 3 RBs, and then go with the hot hand.

 

[JeremyCuse]

They haven't been that FSU since 2016. I think it's likely they get better over the course of the season, but they look like a team installing two new schemes.

upperdeck is 100% right about getting big played to death. If our D looks like it did for the 3rd Q of the WMU game we won't win.

Your second point is key to the game in my mind. We can afford to give up one homerun TD but if we give 2 or 3+ we will have no shot. Its pretty much what happened last year at Doak Campbell. We dominated the game for the most part save for 2 monster runs and a bomb. IF we make FSU march down the field we can win, if we let them score long TD's it will be last year all over again.

 

[TheCusian]

When I think of a college RB, I think of a guy who can get out in space and beat defenders. That is not Donate. He is an average, serviceable back. Averaged between 3.5 & 3.9 yds/carry each year. Longest runs by year of 21, 43, 49 & 20. Biggest year catching the ball was 2016 with 21 catches. He is not a homerun threat or a big time playmaker. I think that is a very fair assessment of him. It's OK for people to be critical of players. By all accounts, he's a hardworker, a solid blocker and has value. But to pretend he's something special or even above average, is just not true.

I didn't say we shouldn't criticize him. I just think it's been a bit much lately. He scored on a play where he got out in space and made a guy miss against Clemson last year. He can be an important cog this week.

I also didn't say he was special or even above average.

 

[nzm136]

I really hope that FSU’s last two games shook their confidence, and gave us hope. And, I hope that we come out swinging, and bloody them early.

 

[Eric15]

That assessment suggests that you might not have watched either game, my friend.

I watched the entire VT/FSU game. My takeaway was that FSU is a team full of highly explosive athletes that has simply stumbled coming out of the gate. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them right the ship and have a very strong year.