Florida State vs. Louisville: Three Players To Watch As Seminoles Compete For ACC Title
Florida State remains unbeaten. Somewhere along the way, that fact seemed to have gotten bogged down by those covering college football around the country. Amidst the conversations of strength of schedules and quality losses, FSU’s undefeated record has been diminished in value. Yes, star quarterback Jordan Travis is hurt. Yes, FSU’s schedule was not as strong as anticipated. However, this team found a way to win after trailing by double digits to a rival in a sold-out, hostile environment. Oh, and they did so with a backup quarterback.
The Seminoles have completed just their fourth 12-0 regular season in program history. For many, that’s not enough, and I’m sure members of the program will say the same thing. It’s not enough because FSU’s goals were far more grand than an undefeated season. From the start of spring practice all the way through to today, the ‘Noles have been focused on a few very specific goals: winning every game, winning the conference championship, making the College Football Playoff, and competing for a national championship. Norvell’s program is on the precipice of realizing their goals, but they have one last hurdle to overcome before they can hoist a trophy and begin playoff preparations.
The fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to compete in their first ACC Championship Game since 2014, and they’ll face the fourteenth-ranked Louisville Cardinals, who are looking to win a conference championship in head coach Jeff Brohm’s first year. Before toe meets leather and FSU aims to win “13 for 13”, let’s take a look at three Seminoles you’ll want to keep an eye on come Saturday night.
1. Shyheim Brown, Defensive Back
Defensive back Shyheim Brown has been turning heads all season long. The young redshirt sophomore has been a game-changer in the defensive secondary for the Seminoles throughout 2023, and his box score reflects that status. Brown has the team’s fourth-highest tackle total (44), and he has recorded 2 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery. He’s delivered some hard hits, changed the momentum of games, and the list goes on. Brown has been instrumental in making Florida State’s defense, specifically the passing defense, as prolific as it is. Brown’s inclusion on this list is a testament to his successes this year, but it’s not the sole reason.
Reports out of practices have praised Brown all week long. Multiple NoleGameday correspondents reported that the defensive back approached this week’s practices with a noticeable fire and intensity. These are signs that bode well for the potential of a monster game against Louisville, which is something the ‘Noles will be counting on from members of its secondary. Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer has thrown 11 INTs on the year, and he’s thrown one in each of his last three games. Florida State’s defense, on the other hand, has reeled in 9 interceptions of their own this season. As was evidenced during last week’s game against Florida, FSU’s offense can benefit greatly from the opportunities its defense affords them. Brown’s knack for shutting down the passing game could come into play against a quarterback that has a proclivity for turning the ball over. In layman’s terms, Brown has an opportunity to force turnovers, limit Louisville’s air attack, and give Florida State’s offense a major boost.
2. Braden Fiske, Defensive Lineman
We haven’t talked about defensive lineman Braden Fiske nearly enough this season. The 6’5”, 297-pound redshirt senior initially played at Western Michigan. Fiske played in 45 games with 30 starts in five seasons at Western Michigan, where he recorded 148 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. He was ranked the best defensive lineman and 6th best prospect in last year’s transfer portal cycle before the former second-team all-MAC performer elected to join Florida State prior to the 2023 season.
Fiske has played on a Florida State defense front that is littered with talent. His name may not appear in the box score as much, but his sheer presence along that line and in opponents’ backfields can always be accounted for. The veteran has come on strong, as of late. He notched 5 total tackles against the Gators and has recorded a sack in 3 of the last 4 appearances. Fiske has been a force to be reckoned with on the interior of that defensive line. Against Louisville, the ‘Noles will lean heavily on his ability to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and stuff the run.
The Cardinals rank fifth in the ACC with 183.5 rushing yards per game. Running back Jawhar Jordan is the ACC’s second leading rusher this season with 1,076 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well. Forcing Louisville to play from behind the sticks begins with stopping their rushing attack; something Fiske (as well as a host of defensive linemen) will play a key role in doing. Whatever you do, you’ll want to watch the battle in the trenches on Saturday on both sides of the ball. When it comes to getting into the backfield, stuffing running lanes, and disrupting a quarterback’s rhythm, Fiske is among the best, so keep an eye on him.
3. Ryan Fitzgerald, Kicker
It’s hard to talk about this position without feeling incredibly superstitious when doing so. Plus, if you’re a long-time Florida State fan, you feel especially burned by kicking performances of the past, specifically those that decided important games such as the one on Saturday. Regardless of superstition, the importance of kicker Ryan Fitzgerald cannot be overlooked.
With FSU’s offense still searching for ways to spark its explosiveness under Tate Rodemaker, scoring opportunities have become relatively rare for the ‘Noles as of late. An offense that once boasted an average of over 40 points per game clawed their way to 24 points last week. Scoring opportunities are hard to come by, especially against a formidable defensive opponent like the Cardinals. With that being said, the Seminoles cannot waste possessions. Even when they’re unable to find the end zone, FSU will have to find ways to turn drives into points even from range. Enter Ryan Fitzgerald.
I won’t tempt the fates by listing his exact statistics, but Ryan Fitzgerald has silenced his critics in 2023. The redshirt junior is currently a semifinalist for the Groza Award, and deservedly so. This string of successes must continue deep into Saturday’s contest. If FSU’s offensive woes continue, he’ll undoubtedly be facing some long field goals against the Cardinals. Converting the kicks on the edge of his range could mean the difference between a win and a loss. If Fitzgerald continues to play at the level we’ve become accustomed to this season, then the ‘Noles need not worry. However, keep an eye on Fitzgerald all the same because this game could very well come down to a game-winning field goal.
Florida State football is four quarters away from completing its goal of reclaiming the ACC throne. However, a formidable Louisville opponent stands in their way, and the ‘Noles will have to do so with a dramatically different team composition. Regardless of the injuries or unfortunate circumstances, FSU will have to win Saturday’s game and finish their season 13-0 if they wish to win the conference championship and clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff.
At this current moment, the college football world stands against the Seminoles. Media outlets and college football experts are vying for their removal from the top-4, regardless of Saturday’s outcome. The gravity of the situation is not lost on FSU. They’re just not focused on that narrative. Instead, Mike Norvell’s group remains committed to the climb, and strong performances from the players listed above will go a long way in reaching the mountaintop come Saturday night.
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season.
