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

By Joe Romano

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) and Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray (8) celebrate after scoring during the game between the Delaware State Hornets and the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL on November 18th, 2017. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) and Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray (8) celebrate after scoring during the game between the Delaware State Hornets and the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL on November 18th, 2017. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – DECEMBER 02: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks on December 02, 2017 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – DECEMBER 02: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks on December 02, 2017 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Keys for Florida State

The Florida State Seminoles will have a new coach on the sideline for the first time since 2010. Jimbo Fisher is now in Texas coaching the Texas A&M Aggies. Replacing him will be Willie Taggart. The former Oregon Ducks coach was a quarterback in college and is a Florida native. He brings a high-powered offensive attack to the Seminoles and should continue the excellent recruiting being from the area.

Offensively the Seminoles look loaded once again. They get back quarterback Deandre Francois who was injured in the first game of the season ago after being named pre-season All ACC at the position. Running back Cam Akers proved to be a star in his freshman season and should carry the load again this season. With Taggart and a new offense in place, Francois should boost this anemic pass offense this season. They can take advantage of a Virginia Tech secondary that lost some talent to the NFL.

Defensively, Florida State is ready to have a dominant season. Despite losing Derwin James, amongst others to the NFL, there is talent at every level. Pass rusher Brian Burns is poised for a breakout campaign off the edge. The staple of Florida State recently, the defensive backfield, is young but led by Stanford Samuels III. Josh Jackson and company are in trouble if they can’t get the ball moving early and let the talented pass defense of the Seminoles pin their ears back.

Florida State is looking like a fun team that can bounce back from their most disappointing season in a decade under new leadership. Akers is getting pre-season All ACC player of the year hype, and subtle hints at a Heisman campaign if everything breaks right. Francois, if he returns to form, gives a talented QB position in the ACC even more depth.

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