Run Defense Is Key To Florida State Win In ACC Football Title Game

Florida State looks to clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff Saturday night against a Georgia Tech team peaking at the right moment. The Yellow Jackets’ triple-option running attack is always a difficult offense to prepare for on a week’s notice, and the Seminoles’ rushing defense has been overpowered in recent weeks. If Jimbo Fisher and Jameis Winston want to deliver another ACC Championship and extend the Seminoles’ nation-best winning streak, the Florida State front seven must be stout and disciplined against the tricky option game.

With so much at stake for Florida State, the pressure is at an all-time high for a team that has sneaked by lesser opponents on a weekly basis late in games. Against a running team like the Yellow Jackets, the Seminoles have to get off to a fast start and build a lead. In week’s past, Winston has struggled in the early going of games, as Florida State has trailed or had meager leads at halftime in several of the important games this season. Winston’s clutch theatrics may deliver another National Championship to Tallahassee, but this game in particular has to be a more consistent showing throughout.

Georgia Tech trigger man Justin Thomas will be the key player to stop. Thomas leads the team in rushing, and while not a dynamic passer, he does have 16 TDs to just four INTs on the season. A host of backs as well as receivers are threats to carry the football with RB Zach Laskey and Synjyn Days the main ball-carriers. When Florida State last played a run-heavy team, Boston College pushed the Seminoles to the brink on their home turf, piling up 240 rushing yards. At a neutral site in Charlotte, the Seminoles are on upset alert with upstart Georgia Tech hoping to spoil Florida State’s season and claim their first ACC Championship since 1998 (a 2009 title was later vacated).