ACC Championship Game Preview

The 12-0 Florida State Seminoles will take on the 10-2 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the ACC Championship football game this Saturday.

The Seminoles are coming into the game off what could be considered their sloppiest game of the season. After rallying for the win, FSU came out on top 24-19 over Florida. If the Seminoles want to play better in this game, one key could be the play of quarterback Jameis Winston who comes off throwing a career high four picks against the Gators.  But despite its blunders in the game last week FSU is 13th overall in passing yards.

On defense, FSU was able to hold the Florida ground game to 113 rushing yards. According to FSU linebacker Terrance Smith, their defense is read to play.

“We have a pretty big D-line , so we’re going to need them to perform really well this game. Just to get the people on ground and keep them from gaining those extra yards,” said Smith. “I mean we’ve faced a couple big backs this year, I mean Boston College to Florida and teams like that so I mean it just comes down to tackling. We’re going to have to man up.”

Georgia Tech sees a threat in the Florida State defense as well.

“They’re very athletic from the D-line to the safeties. They can all move very well from sideline to sideline, even north and south. So we just have to come in and be ready to play fast,” said Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas.

Georgia Tech– looking to end FSU’s 28-game winning streak– is coming off a close 30-24 win against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Georgia Tech is currently ranked number three in the country in rushing yards.

“They’ve been controlling the clock and the tempo of the game offensively and defensively they’ve been holding teams, getting  stops and making big plays on defense,” said FSU wide receiver Rashad Greene. “They’re well coached and they have a lot of good players.”

Georgia Tech is tied for number 10 in turnover margin, forcing 27 turnovers on the season. With Georgia Tech’s scheme of a non-traditional Wing-T and running a triple-option FSU players will have to pay close attention to the ball.

“You just have to put your eyes in the right spot and if you can spy the wing back. You just have to keep your eyes on him because sometimes he’ll motion all the way across sometimes he’ll half motion and then come back… so you’ll have to be able to read that and be able to get off cut block,” said FSU safety Tyler Hunter.

For audio from the players Click here:

FSU Linebacker Terrance Smith

FSU Wide Receiver Rashad Greene

FSU Safety Tyler Hunter

Georgia Tech Quarterback Justin Thomas

 

 

 

About Ashlyn Reese

Check Also

Florida, FSU Face Off in Game 2 of Sunshine State Showdown Series

The No. 6-ranked Florida Gators baseball team has a big one this evening at 121 …