This Saturday at 7 on CW the Seminoles will host the New Mexico State Aggies. The Aggies finished last season 4-8. FSU won the only meeting, 36-0, in 1964.
Projected Starters
Offense: QB Ashton Daniels; RB Ousmane Kromah; TE Landen Thomas; WR Duce Robinson, Micahi Danzy, and Jayvan Boggs; LT Xavier Chaplin; LG Andre Otto; C Bradyn Welch-Joiner; RG Nate Pabst; RT Chimdia Nwaiwu.
Defense: DE Mandrell Desir and Darryll Desir; DT Daniel Lyons and Kevin Wynn; LB Chris Jones, Caleb LaVallee, and Ryland Kennedy; CB Ja’Bril Rawls and Quindarrius Jones; S Ashlynd Barker, KJ Kirkland, and Ma’Khi Jones.
P Daniel Hughes K Gabe Panikowski
Florida State offense versus New Mexico State defense
The offense will be led by quarterback Ashton Daniels (transfer from Auburn via Stanford). The dual threat QB has amassed 4,783 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and 1,400 on the ground to go with 11 touchdowns in his career. Daniels needs to work on reducing his turnovers and sacks taken but played well in his last two games against Vanderbilt and Alabama with only one turnover and 3 sacks taken.
The run game should be the focal point of the offense with three talented backs, Ousmane Kromah, Quintrevion Wisner and Sam Singleton. The huge offensive line should help the running back trio but we’ll see if they are quick and athletic enough to be effective at pass protection. If the ground game gets going it will give preseason all American receivers Duce Robinson more one on one coverage. The depth at the pass catching positions is thin so the freshmen, Jasen Lopez, Tae’Shaun Gelsey and Chase Loftin need to step up when the starters go out.
Players to watch for on the New Mexico State defense are defensive end Gabe Peterson and linebacker Sone Aupui. Both players were selected to the Conference USA preseason team. The Aggies defense gave up 415 yards per game last season (105th in the FBS) but forced 24 turnovers.
Florida State defense versus New Mexico State offense
NMSU looks to improve their offense from last year with a new quarterback, running backs and a whole new offensive line. The new QB is Furman transfer, Trey Hedden, who has thrown for 4700 yards, 30 touchdown and 22 interceptions in 2 seasons. The Aggies best player is receiver TK King who had 41 catches for 588 yards in only 8 games. New Mexico State was dead last in yards per carry last year and I think that trend continues against the Florida State defense
Special Teams
Both teams have new starters at the kicking positions so I feel like it’s even there. FSU has the advantage in the return game with Sam Singleton returning kicks.
Prediction
I think the defense smothers the revamped NM State and the offensive line dominates the trenches giving the running back plenty of room to make plays.
Florida State 38 New Mexico State 6
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