UNC vs. FSU: 6 key players for Saturday's matchup in Tallahassee

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:41 p.m. ET

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UNC and FSU will meet Saturday in Tallahassee for a big ACC game

After a big home win in their ACC opener, it’s time for the North Carolina Tar Heels to turn their attention to Florida State.

The Seminoles and Tar Heels will meet Saturday in Tallahassee, Florida in a big ACC regular season game for both teams.

For the Tar Heels, it’s the chance to go 2-0 in the conference and take another step in repeating as Coastal Division champions.

Florida State on the other hand is still in the running for the Atlantic Division, but needs to win out and get some help. Clemson and Louisville, both strong contenders in the Atlantic, meet on Saturday night. That game will not only have ACC implications but national championship game ones as well.

Let’s take a look at 6 players who will have a big impact on this game.

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback M.J. Stewart (6) pursues the ball carrier during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Clemson defeated North Carolina 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

M.J. Stewart

While the North Carolina Tar Heels can hope to contain running back Dalvin Cook, the secondary must step up on Saturday.

That starts with M.J. Stewart.

The Seminoles have two good wide receivers in Jesus Wilson and Travis Rudolph, giving quarterback Deondre Francois some threats all over the field. But the Tar Heels have two pretty damn good cornerbacks in M.J. Stewart and Des Lawrence.

Look for Stewart and Lawrence to be matched up early on Rudolph, taking turns on the Seminoles best receiver.

If Stewart can have a big game and take away one of the Seminoles biggest threats, it could bode well for the Tar Heels defense all around.

We will see come Saturday.

Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) throws the ball in the first quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Deondre Francois

Francois will be the best quarterback the Tar Heels have faced all season long and a tough one to contain.

The redshirt freshman was named the starter in 2016 for the Seminoles and had a pretty good opening game against Ole Miss. He wasn’t very good in the Seminoles game against Louisville, but that was an all-around poor team effort.

He’s completed 62.8 percent of his attempts for 951 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season.

The Tar Heels have to get pressure on the dual-threat quarterback, who can beat you threw the air and scramble to keep plays alive. He’s only thrown two interceptions on the season so he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.

Containment and pressure will be the biggest keys for the Tar Heels defense against Francois on Saturday.

Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Switzer

A key to an upset is getting great play from all of your units. That includes Special Teams, where return man Ryan Switzer has the chance to make a big play.

Switzer has been very good in the Tar Heels offense but hasn’t broke out the big return that fans are waiting for.

If Switzer can find the end zone in the return game, it will certainly help the Tar Heels in that phase of the game. It can also be a game-changer depending on the scenario.

We aren’t saying Switzer won’t be a key in the Tar Heels offense either.

Switzer is coming off a 16 reception game against Pittsburgh, a career-day for the senior. Let’s see if he can build off that momentum and find some gaps in the Seminoles defense, making them pay and giving Mitch Trubisky the opportunity to make a big play.

Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball in the second quarter as South Florida Bulls linebacker Danny Thomas (53) defends at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Cook

Cook finally looked like the running back everyone expected him to be in the Seminoles big win over USF.

Now he presents the biggest challenge for the Tar Heels on Saturday. With UNC’s struggling to stop the run, Cook could have a field day against the Tar Heels defense.

Cook had his first 100-plus yard game of the season when he put up 257 against USF. He’s got 4 rushing touchdowns on the season and has been a weapon in the receiving game as well.

The Tar Heels have already faced Nick Chubb, who ran for 200-plus yards on them, and Cook could do the same thing.

Look for FSU to pound the rock early and often, trying to expose UNC’s poor run defense. If the Tar Heels cant win the line of scrimmage and stop Cook, it could be a long day in Tallahassee.

Here’s to hoping they can.

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Lucas Crowley (68) blocks during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Clemson defeated North Carolina 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Lucas Crowley

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had the best game of his career on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Part of that reason was the good protection.

He will need it again on Saturday against Florida State.

The one offensive lineman to keep an eye on is center Lucas Crowley. Not only for the pass blocking and helping open up holes for Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan, but the snaps as well.

In the first two games, we saw numerous high snap exchanges from Crowley to Trubisky. It’s calmed down a little bit, but it’s still something to monitor.

Crowley is the anchor on the Tar Heels offensive line who must protect Trubisky. If they can do that, it will allow Trubisky to have more time and find open receivers.

Then there is the run blocking part. UNC’s offensive line has to win at the line of scrimmage against FSU and open up some big running holes for the two-headed running back monster.

Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Tarvarus McFadden (4) intercepts a ball intend for South Florida Bulls wide receiver Ryeshene Bronson (81) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Tarvarus McFadden

While Florida State’s offense can put up some points, the Seminoles defense is very vulnerable.

The unit has given up some big plays this season including a few to USF in their week four win in Tampa Bay. With Trubisky coming off an incredible game against Pittsburgh, he’s looking to carve up the Florida State defense.

Sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden will have the task of trying to shut down UNC’s receivers.

Easier said than done however.

McFadden will line up primarily against Mack Hollins, the Tar Heels biggest deep threat, trying to get him out of the game plan. We will likely also see him in coverage against Bug Howard and in some zone looks on the outside.

The cornerback has three interceptions on the season, but has looked shaky at times in games against Ole Miss and Louisville.

If McFadden can do a good job on Hollins, Trubisky will be forced to go to other options. If not, it could be another big day for the quarterback.