Key Matchups of the Week: Florida State vs. Oklahoma

The Florida State Seminoles are going bowling for the primary time in three years. FSU will look to win its tenth sport of the season to succeed in its highest win whole since 2016. The Seminoles will tackle the Oklahoma Sooners within the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando on Thursday.

Listed here are three key matchups to look at for because the ‘Noles look to finish the season off on observe.

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1. FSU speeding assault vs Sooners’ protection

Florida State has one of many high speeding items within the nation this season. Averaging about 218 yards per sport which ranks twelfth within the nation. The trio of Treshaun Ward, Lawrance Taofili, and Trey Benson has been constant all season. The Sooners, then again, battle to cease the run. Oklahoma ranks 103rd within the nation in stopping the run, giving up 189 yards per sport. Additionally one of many higher defensive linemen for the Sooners, Jalen Redmond, has opted out of this sport. With a wholesome offensive line and prolific speeding unit, the Seminoles can benefit from a protection that hasn’t been in a position to cease the run all season.

2. ‘Noles line of defense vs Sooners’ offensive line

The Seminoles’ protection took a reasonably large bounce this season. Giving up about 20 factors per sport which ranks at 16 within the nation. Lots of the credit score for the protection goes to the improved line of defense play. Defensive finish Jared Verse and firm will look to feast towards a Sooners offensive line that will probably be lacking each of their beginning tackles on Thursday.

Left sort out Anton Harris and proper sort out Wanya Morris opted out to give attention to the NFL. With that being mentioned, freshman Jacob Sexton will take over one of many sort out positions and may have his first begin towards the ‘Noles. I count on Jared Verse and the line of defense to play aggressively and make life powerful for Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel who will even be with out main rusher Eric Grey, who opted out to organize for the NFL draft.

3. Turnovers

With the switch portal entries and gamers declaring for the NFL draft, FSU has a bonus on each side of the ball. A technique the Sooners could make this attention-grabbing is that if the ‘Noles are careless with the soccer. QB Jordan Travis has excelled at taking good care of the soccer and if the Seminoles wish to forestall an upset bid from taking place, the turnover margin will probably be crucial. Oklahoma will probably be and not using a handful of gamers who contributed through the season. Turnovers can change the heartbeat of a sport and if the Sooners can create just a few turnovers and achieve momentum, this sport could be nearer than many assume.

The Seminoles are favored by greater than a landing and the momentum of this program is obvious. The will of this staff to finish the season on a excessive observe and proceed the upward trajectory of this system will gas the Seminoles later this week. Profitable towards Oklahoma can be the cherry on high of a profitable season and a confidence booster coming into 2023.

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