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Florida State Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By Nathaniel Reeves

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 26: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles looks on against the Florida Gators during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Florida 31-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 26: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles looks on against the Florida Gators during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Florida 31-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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What are some key storylines to watch in Florida State’s Garnet and Gold Spring Game on Saturday?

After a torrid stretch to close out last year including an Orange Bowl win over Michigan, the Florida State Seminoles enter 2017 as one of the favorites for the College Football Playoff.

Florida State returns plenty of talent from last year’s 10-3 team, along with one of the best incoming recruiting classes in the country. The Seminoles have athleticism all over the field with few weaknesses, with redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois leading the way.

Even with all the promise, Florida State has a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball. Consensus All-Americans Dalvin Cook and DeMarcus Walker are among eight starters who will need to be replaced, and Florida State’s depth is going to be challenged with injuries already piling up.

As such, the Seminoles will have one of the more intriguing Spring Games in college football. Florida State’s Garnet and Gold Scrimmage is set for 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, April 9 at Doak Campbell Stadium, with around 50,000 fans expected to be in attendance

Here are five key storylines to watch in Tallahassee on Saturday.

5. Do the Seminoles look ready for Alabama? 

While a Spring Game can only tell you so much with five months to go until the regular season, the Seminoles are going to want to be particularly sharp due to the monumental challenge they face in their opener.

Florida State will begin the season with a matchup against Alabama on Sept. 2 in the first college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. As both teams figure to be ranked in the top five of the initial AP Poll, the game could have a huge impact on the College Football Playoff picture.

Beating the Crimson Tide starts with Francois, who enters 2017 with high expectations after a strong redshirt freshman campaign as Florida State’s starter for all 13 games. Francois won the ACC Rookie of the Year Award with 3,350 passing yards to lead all freshmen along with 25 total touchdowns but will need the best game of his career for the Seminoles to beat the daunting Crimson Tide defense.

Beyond that, the Seminoles will be debuting some relatively inexperienced playmakers after losing Dalvin Cook, Travis Rudolph and Kermit Whitfield. Having Francois develop some chemistry with the new crop of receivers in the spring will be key, as the Seminoles won’t have a warm-up game before taking on Nick Saban and company.

If Francois shows he’s ready to take a step forward with a good showing on Saturday, the Seminoles will at least have a shot come opening weekend.

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