GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Florida State’s secondary against Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book, who has thrown for 1,824 yards and 15 touchdowns this season to only four interceptions. The Seminoles’ secondary was abused by Clemson and N.C. State in back-to-back weeks, giving up a combined 644 yards passing in two blowout losses. If the Seminoles can find a way to contain Notre Dame’s top wideout Miles Boykin (40 catches, 624 yards, 7 touchdowns), they will give themselves a chance in this game.
DRAFT SLANT: Florida State’s highest-rated current player is 6-foot-5 defensive end Brian Burns, who NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler considers a potential first-rounder in the 2019 NFL Draft. Burns leads the team with nine sacks through seven games. Brugler, whose mock draft predicts Burns could wind up with the Pittsburgh Steelers near the end of the first round, said of the lanky pass rusher: “Burns has first-round potential and length off the edge.”
ROSTER REPORT:
–Florida State head coach Willie Taggart said offensive lineman Cole Minshew (neck) suffered an injury during last week’s loss to N.C. State and was “day to day.” The news was not as good about fellow Seminoles offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (leg). “Landon he’s not ready,” Taggart said. “I wish he was.”
–Florida State defensive lineman Robert Cooper missed last week’s game (concussion) but was in full pads this week practicing and should be good to go Saturday.
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