Florida State vs. Syracuse: Game Grades, Analysis for the Seminoles

No. 1 Florida State did what it had to do Saturday in a38-20 victory at Syracuse.

Were the Seminoles (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) perfect? No. But they got past the Orange (2-4, 0-2) without a look-ahead letdown to Notre Dame and did so without sustaining any major injuries.

Position Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	A-	A
Run Offense	A-	A
Pass Defense	B+	B
Run Defense	B	B
Special Teams	A+	B+
Coaching	A-	B+

Pass Offense

Outside of a second-half fumble, Jameis Winston was stellar for FSU. Winston looked a lot like he did last year, competing a high percentage of passes and moving the offense down the field—and doing so while off-field controversy surrounding FSU drove the news cycle.

In a game that saw Rashad Greene set the school record for all-time receptions by an FSU player and Nick O’Leary set the school record for career catches by a Seminoles tight end, Winston did a good job of finding open receivers and spreading the football around. He finished the day 30-of-36 for 318 yards and three touchdowns, with completions to seven different players.

Greene finished with a team-best 107 yards on six catches, and O’Leary set a career high with eight catches. True freshman Travis Rudolph was once again a bright spot for the passing attack, as he finished with six catches for 46 yards.

I gave FSU an “A” for its pass offense because Winston couldn’t be stopped. And when other players are being involved around Greene, the Seminoles aerial attack cannot be stopped.

Run Offense

Despite missing starting tailback Karlos Williams (ankle) and then briefly losing his replacement, Mario Pender, for about half a quarter, FSU had no trouble on the ground against the Orange.

True freshman Dalvin Cook was sensational, rushing for a career-high 122 yards with one score. Cook’s 5.3 yards-per-carry average was too much for a Syracuse team made painfully aware that FSU’s third-string tailback was a 5-star high school prospect in this year’s recruiting class.

In his first career start, Pender added 34 yards on eight carries and a rushing score that accompanied a touchdown catch.

The Seminoles got good push up front from a veteran offensive line playing with a youngster at center. Redshirt freshmen Ryan Hoefeld started for the injured Austin Barron and showed strong signs that he can handle the rigors and responsibilities of the position for the rest of the season should Barron not be able to return.

I gave FSU an “A” for its rushing offense because it overcame the adversity of losing two starters while also generating its second-most rushing yards of the season.

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Pass Defense

Florida State had a total of two interceptions all season entering Saturday’s game at the Carrier Dome but had three in the one game against the Orange. Jalen Ramsey, Nate Andrews and Tyler Hunter all got in on the takeaway action, creating serious problems for Syracuse quarterbacks A.J. Long and Austin Wilson.

But despite those turnovers, the Orange were still able to experience some success throwing the football. Syracuse finished with 256 yards passing, and Long showed signs that he could be the team’s long-term solution under center. Steve Ishmael also hauled in 93 yards receiving and two touchdowns on three catches, and several Orange receivers made highlight-reel catches.

FSU forced turnovers, but it wasn't dominant defending the pass, thus the “B” grade for the win.

Run Defense

The Seminoles allowed 156 yards on the ground, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not great. Prince-Tyson Gulley averaged 5.0 yards per carry against the Seminoles, racking up 80 yards on 16 carries.

FSU did a good job of making tackles—an issue that has been worked on at practice in recent weeks—but Gulley got loose for several big chunks of yardage, including a long of 35 yards.

A good but not great performance? Sounds like a “B” to me.

Special Teams

Another perfect game for Roberto Aguayo, who continues his marched toward G.O.A.T. status.

Aguayo was a perfect 5-of-5 for extra points and added one field goal, while Cason Beatty averaged 46.0 yards per punt. 

Those numbers are great, but FSU’s special teams grade dips from an “A+” to a “B+” because Bobo Wilson had a fumbled punt return during the game that gave Syracuse great field position—even if Andrews intercepted a pass one play later.

Coaching

Once again Jimbo Fisher called a good offensive game for FSU, taking advantage of what Syracuse was giving the Seminoles all day. The Orange were allowing the Seminoles to throw the football underneath, and that’s exactly what the play-calling reflected.

Defensively, coordinator Charles Kelly’s group bent but didn’t break—especially in the first half. FSU wasn’t quite as stout defensively in the second half, which isn’t a characteristic of this ‘Noles team. Florida State typically makes good adjustments at the break, but Syracuse had some success in the second half.

For that, I give FSU’s coaching a “B+” grade.

Brandon Mellor is a Florida State writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics courtesy of Seminoles.com. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @BrandonMellor on Twitter.