Matchup of the Week
It’s CMR vs. Silly Willy Taggart. It’s the Chain vs. the Satchel. It’s Miami-FSU. Nothing else needs to be said to set the stage for Saturday at 3:30. Let’s get right into the Miami-FSU Matchup of the Week. Deondre Francois vs. Miami Pass Rush.
Deondre Francois knows what it’s like to beat the Hurricanes in Hard Rock Stadium. He showed how tough he was in 2016 after taking some serious shots from Chad Thomas and friends. Quite honestly, Francois has been peeling himself off the turf for a lot of his time at FSU. He’s been behind some suspect O-line play, and this year is no different. One major difference for Francois this time around is the absence of some guy named Dalvin Cook. Cook had over 200 yards of offense against Miami in 2016 and helped alleviate the pressure on Francois. FSU no longer has the luxury of a guy like Cook who can single handedly change the course of the game. Nor have they shown the ability to have a consistent run game in 2018. The onus is on Francois for this offense to be successful. Behind an offensive line that ranks 85th in the nation in sacks allowed, Deondre Francois is going to need to show how tough he really is with some crazed dogs from the UM D-line coming his way.
What more can be said about the Miami’s defensive line play in 2018? The core three on this defensive line rivals any group of three that the country has to offer. Gerald Willis was recently named Outland Trophy Player of the Month and is sky rocketing up mock draft boards. Joe Jackson reminded us last week of why his name has been thrown around as a first round talent. Jon Garvin appears to be on a trajectory that could also land him in the first round of the draft when the time comes. It’s not just those three though. Manny Diaz’s attacking style defense has been in the opponent’s backfield all year. According to Bill Connelly’s Havoc Rate statistics, it rates the Miami defensive line as the most disruptive in the country. On the other side, FSU is ranked 116th in stopping defensive line disruption. This is one of UM’s biggest strengths vs. FSU’s most glaring weakness. Francois can already feel the heat from the Hurricane pass rush that’s about to come his way.
One of the factors I point to in this game is Deondre Francois’ use of his legs. Taggart loves to incorporate the QB in the run game, but Francois isn’t really that kind of guy. He’s athletic enough to move around and get a first down if need be, but he’s really not a QB that is trying to take off and run, especially after a brutal knee injury in 2017. However, his legs will need to come into play against Manny Diaz’s defense. For one, he will need to use his legs to preserve his well-being. If he stands in the pocket all night, he may take a beating of epic proportions. Also, Miami has shown the propensity to struggle against a QB who can run. I think Taggart and the FSU offense will try to find some designed plays with Francois legs early on to give the UM defense something else to think about. Look for FSU to try and move the pocket and get Francois on rollouts to slow down the pass rush. Screen plays are also another way to halt an aggressive defense. I also foresee FSU using some TE’s and RB’s to stay in and block more often to help one of the nation’s worst offensive lines.
I believe Francois is an above average college QB. He’s talented enough to make just about every throw. He’s a gritty, experienced guy who has seen a lot in his time at FSU, and he has good enough weapons around him to move the ball on offense. But in a new offense behind that O-line, Francois has had a rough go at it in 2018. To me, he would have to a have a career day for FSU to have a chance on Saturday. Miami’s pass rush is foaming at the mouth because they know they are set up to have a field day. The Miami D-Line doesn’t need to do anything out of the ordinary. If they continue to play the way they have in the first part of the year, they will have Francois seeing ghosts in the pocket, and the frustrations for Willie Taggart’s offense will continue. Gerald Willis and company have the opportunity to put a major stamp on this game. All of Francois’ hopes of stealing another win in Hard Rock ought to be decimated by this Miami pass rush.
It’s CMR vs. Silly Willy Taggart. It’s the Chain vs. the Satchel. It’s Miami-FSU. Nothing else needs to be said to set the stage for Saturday at 3:30. Let’s get right into the Miami-FSU Matchup of the Week. Deondre Francois vs. Miami Pass Rush.
Deondre Francois knows what it’s like to beat the Hurricanes in Hard Rock Stadium. He showed how tough he was in 2016 after taking some serious shots from Chad Thomas and friends. Quite honestly, Francois has been peeling himself off the turf for a lot of his time at FSU. He’s been behind some suspect O-line play, and this year is no different. One major difference for Francois this time around is the absence of some guy named Dalvin Cook. Cook had over 200 yards of offense against Miami in 2016 and helped alleviate the pressure on Francois. FSU no longer has the luxury of a guy like Cook who can single handedly change the course of the game. Nor have they shown the ability to have a consistent run game in 2018. The onus is on Francois for this offense to be successful. Behind an offensive line that ranks 85th in the nation in sacks allowed, Deondre Francois is going to need to show how tough he really is with some crazed dogs from the UM D-line coming his way.
What more can be said about the Miami’s defensive line play in 2018? The core three on this defensive line rivals any group of three that the country has to offer. Gerald Willis was recently named Outland Trophy Player of the Month and is sky rocketing up mock draft boards. Joe Jackson reminded us last week of why his name has been thrown around as a first round talent. Jon Garvin appears to be on a trajectory that could also land him in the first round of the draft when the time comes. It’s not just those three though. Manny Diaz’s attacking style defense has been in the opponent’s backfield all year. According to Bill Connelly’s Havoc Rate statistics, it rates the Miami defensive line as the most disruptive in the country. On the other side, FSU is ranked 116th in stopping defensive line disruption. This is one of UM’s biggest strengths vs. FSU’s most glaring weakness. Francois can already feel the heat from the Hurricane pass rush that’s about to come his way.
One of the factors I point to in this game is Deondre Francois’ use of his legs. Taggart loves to incorporate the QB in the run game, but Francois isn’t really that kind of guy. He’s athletic enough to move around and get a first down if need be, but he’s really not a QB that is trying to take off and run, especially after a brutal knee injury in 2017. However, his legs will need to come into play against Manny Diaz’s defense. For one, he will need to use his legs to preserve his well-being. If he stands in the pocket all night, he may take a beating of epic proportions. Also, Miami has shown the propensity to struggle against a QB who can run. I think Taggart and the FSU offense will try to find some designed plays with Francois legs early on to give the UM defense something else to think about. Look for FSU to try and move the pocket and get Francois on rollouts to slow down the pass rush. Screen plays are also another way to halt an aggressive defense. I also foresee FSU using some TE’s and RB’s to stay in and block more often to help one of the nation’s worst offensive lines.
I believe Francois is an above average college QB. He’s talented enough to make just about every throw. He’s a gritty, experienced guy who has seen a lot in his time at FSU, and he has good enough weapons around him to move the ball on offense. But in a new offense behind that O-line, Francois has had a rough go at it in 2018. To me, he would have to a have a career day for FSU to have a chance on Saturday. Miami’s pass rush is foaming at the mouth because they know they are set up to have a field day. The Miami D-Line doesn’t need to do anything out of the ordinary. If they continue to play the way they have in the first part of the year, they will have Francois seeing ghosts in the pocket, and the frustrations for Willie Taggart’s offense will continue. Gerald Willis and company have the opportunity to put a major stamp on this game. All of Francois’ hopes of stealing another win in Hard Rock ought to be decimated by this Miami pass rush.
