GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Florida State’s offensive line vs. Northern Illinois’ defense. The Seminoles’ front five have been maligned since the opening game of the season, and last week’s 30-7 loss against Syracuse — when the line got beat time after time — magnified that. The Seminoles may end up playing some freshmen they hadn’t intended to Saturday against Northern Illinois because “everything is on the table,” as head coach Willie Taggart said this week. The Huskies feature a pro prospect in edge rusher Sutton Smith, who has 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
DRAFT SLANT: Florida State’s highest-rated current player is 6-foot-5 defensive end Brian Burns, who is considered a potential first-rounder in the 2019 NFL Draft. Burns leads the team with four sacks through three games. Wrote NFLDraftScout.com of the lanky pass rusher: “The Florida State tape shows a streaky player, but Burns has first-round potential and length off the edge.”
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB/WR/KR Khalan Laborn suffered a dislocated kneecap two weeks ago against Samford, and while head coach Willie Taggart said initially, “He’ll be back,” this season, the news was bad Monday night when Taggart announced Laborn was done for the season and would require surgery on the injured knee.
–OL Derrick Kelly was carried off the field against Syracuse late in the fourth quarter and will not play this week against Northern Illinois, head coach Willie Taggart said Monday. Kelly will be replaced by Abdul Bello. Taggart didn’t specify the injury to Kelly, but he appeared to injure his leg against the Orange.
–WR George Campbell was moved to the top of the depth chart Monday ahead of previous starter Warren Thompson.
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