Preview: Oklahoma State @ #1 Florida State

Date: 8/30/2014

Time: 20:00 ET

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Players to Watch

Karlos Williams, running back (FSU)

The nation’s top safety from the 2011 class,  Williams has found his calling card at running back.  In his first season as a spell back for Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr,  the senior had 730 yards and 11 touchdowns at just over eight yards per carry.  Most of that success came later in the games against tired defenses,  now it is time to see what he can do as the lead back.

Rashad Greene, wide receiver (FSU)

With 76 catches as a junior,  Greene was Jameis Winston’s go-to receiver.  The monstrous Kelvin Benjamin and shifty slot-man Kenny Shaw are now trying to make a living in the NFL,  leaving a bigger onus on Greene.  We know he has the talent but is he good enough to take the strain? 

Fellow senior Christian Green has waited a long time for a starting job and,  with one now seemingly at his feet,  will he put a season together to help Rashad play his own game?

Desmond Roland, running back (OKST)

At 6’2” and 210 pounds,  Roland is extremely tough to bring down when he build up a head of steam.  He rumbled for 811 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior and improved as the weeks went by.  With question marks at quarterback,  Roland finding some momentum early on will be key for the Cowboys’ chances of winning.

Jimmy Bean, defensive end (OKST)

Bean had a breakthrough year in 2013 when he registered 10 tackles for a loss and five sacks.  Now entering his junior year and no Justin Gilbert on the back end of the defense,  Bean needs to be instrumental for Oklahoma State if they are to mix it with the big boys like they did a year ago.  Florida State have a tremendous offensive line and Bean will need to be at his best to break the rhythm of Winston.

Seminoles’ Offense Vs. Cowboys’ Defense

The 51.7 points per game that the Florida State offense scored in 2013 ranked second in the nation.  And,  despite first-round pick Benjamin providing plenty of production,  there are pieces remaining at receiver as mentioned above as well as tight end Nick O’Leary,  who himself could be the best in the nation at his position.  Furthermore,  key members of the offensive line return to give Winston all the time he needs.

Cornerback Gilbert was the Cowboys’ best defensive player last year and his loss is a significant one even before you factor in the loss of fellow senior Daytawion Lowe.  In total,  seven of Oklahoma State’s leading nine tacklers have not returned and a tie with the reigning national champions is not the ideal way to ease your way into the season.

We know Winston’s precocious talents as well as the support he has around him.  The August 30th encounter is going to be the perfect tone setter for FSU.

Cowboys’ Offense Vs. Seminoles’ Defense

Quarterbacks Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh split time at quarterback to start the season with Chelf eventually becoming the favored.  He has since graduated and that leaves Walsh,  who has plenty of experience,  in charge.  He has good mobility for a quarterback and could cause the Seminoles’ inexperienced linebackers a couple of problem.  Nevertheless,  I find it hard to imagine his pure passing abilities causing the unrivalled quality of Florida State’s defensive backfield many problems.

Josh Stewart will be the lead wide-out and his 60 catches,  707 yards and three touchdowns as a junior stand him in good stead for the upcoming campaign.  Sophomore Jhajuan Seales caught 39 balls for over 500 yards as a freshman,  showing the kind of potential along the way that could see him break into the national spotlight.

Game Preview

The Seminoles are expected to be one of the four to claim a spot in the new play-off system and their road back to the top begins Week 1.  Williams and Green all have points to prove and will look to pile as much misery on the Cowboys as possible.

For Oklahoma State is could be damage limitation as they find out what they do and do not have.  The defense is young and could make exciting plays,  but their raw nature is not a pre-requisite to slowing a freight train.

Implications

A loss to Florida State would not mean much to Mike Gundy’s men who are not expected to win and their battles are elsewhere.  Although they want to prove they are worthy of an AP ranking,  their time is likely to come on another day.

As for the Seminoles,  a loss would be devastating and would severely impact their season aspirations.  It would far from end their season but would leave a long and precarious road ahead.

Prediction

With Oklahoma State losing Gilbert and three sophomores expected to start on the offensive line,  it will be a tall order for them to throw proverbial cat amongst the pigeons.  Although it goes against the saying ‘any given Sunday’,  this match will go to the reigning champions.  FSU 38-10 OKST