Ariya Massoudi, sports editor of the FSView was kind enough to answer some questions regarding Monday’s game. He also asked our sports editor Brian Scott Rippee a few questions of his own regarding this top 15 match up.
How did you originally see the quarterback battle playing out leading up to this game, and with Sean Maguire hurt, what can you expect from Deondre Francois?
AM- FSU fans have been hoping and praying that Deondre Francois would beat out Sean Maguire for the starting QB job at FSU. The injury to Maguire essentially forced a transition that was likely to happen anyway as Francois is poised to be the better option. Francois was a highly-recruited guy two years ago and has all the tools to be the Seminoles’ next great signal-caller. That being said, Chad Kelly is the real deal and gives the Rebels the advantage in the match up Monday night. If Francois protects the ball and makes the simple throws, I think he gives FSU a great shot of winning the game.
The Seminole defense is loaded with talent. What would you consider its strength, and also what is a possible weakness in your opinion?
AM- This is likely one of the best five defenses in college football and has some comparing the unit to the the 2013 FSU defense that helped win a national title and has every starter on an NFL roster in 2016. The strength is the defensive line that has a blend of experience and NFL-ready talent. DeMarcus Walker and Josh Sweat are one of the best defensive end tandems at the college level and tackles Derrick Nnadi and Demarcus Christmas are exceptional as well. If there is a weakness, it might be in the linebacking core as there is little proven depth. However, former five-star recruit Matt Thomas has had an incredible fall camp and should breakout in 2016.
What individual match up are you most looking forward to?
AM- I’m looking forward to how FSU’s secondary matches up against Chad Kelly. Kelly is the key to this game for Ole Miss. The Seminoles are supposed to have one of the best secondaries in the country this year with three former five-star recruits expected to start, led by arguably the best safety in the country in Derwin James. If Kelly is turning the ball over, then this could get ugly. If he shines as he has numerous times before, the Rebels will have a shot at a big win to start the season.
Prediction:
AM- If this game was in the middle or latter part of the season, I’d give Ole Miss an excellent shot at defeating FSU. However, game one of the season in virtually FSU’s backyard, against one of the best teams in the country isn’t a good match up for the Rebels, who are breaking in many new starters. The team with 16 returning starters has to be favored and Dalvin Cook should set the pace for FSU. I think Kelly makes a few dazzling plays to keep Ole Miss hanging around, but the Seminoles’ defense is a really tough unit to score against.
1. Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell, and Robert Nkemdiche were big losses from last year’s Ole Miss squad. Who are some names that we should keep an eye on to step in and contribute in place of those former stars?
BSR- Let’s start with the offensive line. When true freshman Greg Little signed with Ole Miss last February, he was immediately given the arduous task of filling Tunsil’s shoes at left tackle. He’s progressed nicely through camp, and though Rod Taylor will start Monday night at left tackle, Little will play and it will be interesting to see how many snaps he gets. Elsewhere, I’d look out for true freshman wide receiver A.J. Brown. At six-foot-one 225 pounds, he’s built similar to Treadwell and Hugh Freeze has said he is further along in his development than Treadwell was at this point in his career. Defensively, look for sophomore defensive tackle Breeland Speaks to be a force up front. Defensive end Fadol Brown has been hurt for most of fall camp stemming from a foot injury suffered last year. Brown will play in a limited role on Monday and Speaks could also slide out to defensive end as well if needed.
2. What match up do think favors Ole Miss the most and which match up worries you?
BSR- I think it has to be the wide receivers. I know just how good the Seminole secondary is, especially Derwin James. But Ole Miss has a stable of young wide receivers that are talented but also versatile in terms of their skill set. Throw in tight end Evan Engram and I think the receiving corps will be a tough test for any secondary the Rebels face this year. As far as one that worries me, it’s got to be Florida State’s defensive line against Ole Miss’ offensive line, especially the left side for the Rebels. Replacing Tunsil will be tough and it will be interesting to see how that side of the line holds up against a loaded Seminole defensive line.
3. Chad Kelly is no question a star at the QB position and likely the best at his position in the SEC. Can Kelly be even better in 2016 and how do you think he fairs against a loaded FSU defense?
BSR- I do think Kelly can be better in 2016. Towards the back end of last season, Kelly came on to the scene. He beat teams with his feet as well as his arm and I think that experience will only help him progress this year. He’s facing an extremely tough task out of the gate. As you said, the FSU defense is loaded with talent across the board, and with the uncertainty that looms on the offensive line Kelly will need to use his feet to extend plays as well. As obvious as this sounds, I think how he fairs depends largely upon his protection up front. If he’s got time to throw, he will show why he is the best in the SEC. If he doesn’t? this could get ugly.
4. Prediction?
I also think this game would be different if it were later in the year, but for a different reason. I think Francois will make a couple of mistakes in his first career start against an Ole Miss defense that is very strong up front. If Kelly and Ole Miss are able to move the ball early, I lean more towards quarterback experience in the first game. Ole Miss wins 35-31 in a game that fully lives up to its hype of being the best game of opening weekend.
