College Football

FSU Football: Top 5 Players To Watch In Miami Game

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:31 a.m. ET

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Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) scores a touchdown past Miami Hurricanes safety Jamal Carter (6) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. FSU won 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The FSU football team will travel to Miami Florida to take on the Miami Hurricanes. Can Miami end the six game losing streak to the ‘Noles?

It’s a huge game for both teams. There are bragging rights on the line in as the ‘Noles look to continue their recent dominance of the Miami Hurricanes.

However, the ‘Canes smell blood in the water as they come into the game undefeated and feel they have an excellent shot at ending the six game losing streak to FSU football.

The good news for the ‘Noles? They are as healthy as they can be aside from starting safety Derwin James being out for a couple more weeks at least.

Derrick Nnadi will be able to play and hopefully anchor the defensive line. Josh Sweat likely will not be 100 percent, but should be available to play on Saturday night.

Let’s take a look at the five players to watch in the game.

Stacy Coley

Miami wide receiver Stacy Coley had a huge game against the ‘Noles last season. He and quarterback Brad Kaaya hooked up seven times for 138 yards and one touchdown.

Coley leads the team in receptions (15) and touchdowns (4), and can be hard to stop when he is motivated to play.

It was thought that Coley would be a Nole at one point in the recruiting process, ultimately he choose Miami which was his mistake as he has never beaten FSU.

He’ll be motivated against this FSU secondary, and the fact that he could finish his Miami career never having won against FSU.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Akeem Judd (21) is tackled by Florida State Seminoles defensive back Derwin James (3) and linebacker Matthew Thomas (6) in the third quarter at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles won 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Thomas

Matthew,Matthew, Matthew. If only he’d just play and let his ability take over, and most importantly, stop quitting on plays.

Thomas currently leads the team in tackles with 30 total, but has not performed up to expectations. He has been lost in coverage, taken poor pursuit angles and hesitant to attack down hill in the run game.

Miami has two junior tight ends that are involved in the passing game. David Njoku and Christopher Herndon IV both have seven receptions and a touchdown on the season.

Thomas is athletic enough to cover these guys, but will he be able to read his keys and distinguish between run and pass plays? He has been eaten alive on play-action, often biting on the fake to the running back.

He needs to have a good game if the FSU defense has any shot of slowing the Miami offense down.

Mark Walton

The sophomore seems to have surpassed junior running back Joseph Yearby in the eyes of new head coach Mark Richt. Walton leads the team in carries, yards and touchdowns.

Walton was a non-factor last season as he only had one rushing attempt on the night as the ‘Noles shutdown the run game, and forced Miami to be a one-dimensional passing team.

Below are some Walton highlights from their game agaisnt Florida Atlantic.

Walton isn’t a huge threat to catch the ball out of the backfield( Yearby is more of a threat there). It’ll be important for FSU to stop the run game again on Saturday night.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) throws the ball in the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Deondre Francois

I tweeted earlier this week that Deondre Francois has surpassed all of my expectations so far this season. He has played well the entire season, even in the first half of the Louisville game before that game got out of control.

The biggest thing FSU needs from him on Saturday night is to NOT turn the ball over. The FSU offense can’t afford to having any turnovers in this game.

Jimbo Fisher should use Francois more in the run game which would open the Miami defense up to a variety of attacks.

It would force an aggressive Miami defense to slow its attack, and would help open things up in the passing game.

Also, look for FSU running back screens out of the backfield as Miami defensive ends look to bring pressure against Francois.

If Francois continues to play as he has been playing, the FSU offense should put up 30+ points on Saturday night.

Dalvin Cook

Cook owns the Miami Hurricanes, and he almost beaten them by himself the past couple of years.

Cook has looked like the Cook from the past two years after a slow start. He has already surpassed his receiving totals from last season in just five games.