Alabama vs. Florida State: Preview, predictions, TV schedule and more

Keys for Florida State

Florida State enters this game with significantly less pressure than Alabama. The Seminoles went 10-3 last year with losses in the division to rivals Clemson and Louisville. Florida State has needed a few years of adjustment since winning the final BCS Championship Game in 2013 with redshirt freshman Jameis Winston as a quarterback.

The Seminoles have recruited marvelously under head coach Jimbo Fisher. Florida State has routinely found itself in the top-five of recruiting classes under Fisher’s watch. They have the best incoming running back in Cam Akers, a strong second-year starting quarterback in Deondre Francois and perhaps the best defensive player in college football in safety Derwin James.

All three will be key in helping the Seminoles pull off the upset of the Crimson Tide in Atlanta. Being able to run on the Crimson Tide’s front-seven will be very difficult for a true freshman running back. However, if any first-year tailback can do it, it has to be Akers, right?

Francois has to take over this game, period. He is garnering Heisman Trophy hype in his second years as a starter in Tallahassee. If he wants to be the fourth Seminole quarterback to win the award, he’ll need a great game under center. The kid looked great in his first year as a starter last year.

Finally, it’s all about James in the secondary. If he’s healthy, he will make life difficult for reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year in Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts is nimble, but is reluctant to throw the ball down the field. Having James eye him like prey can’t be great for the Alabama passing game.