ACC Championship 2014: How RB Karlos Williams' Injury Will Impact Florida State

Facing their toughest challenge of the season in Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, the Florida State Seminoles will be without running back Karlos Williams as they look to polish off a second straight undefeated regular season, per ESPN.com.

Just like every first-half deficit, Jameis Winston pick, off-field controversy and on-field blunder, it isn't going to affect the Seminoles one bit.

This is a team that has been through the gauntlet both on and off the field—soft schedule be darned—and losing a key leader shouldn't leave head coach Jimbo Fisher and company worse for the wear as they approach Saturday's matchup with the Yellow Jackets.

There are two main reasons why Williams' absence won't affect Florida State, and it starts with the fact that the Seminoles' rushing attack isn't very good to begin with.

In other words, it hasn't played a huge role in the victories in 2014, so why should it be a big deal now?

In 2013, Florida State finished with the 28th-best rushing offense at just over 200 yards per game. The Seminoles' backs averaged 5.63 yards per carry collectively.

In 2014, Florida State is 105th in country in the same category with just 131 yards on the ground per game and its backs are barely notching four yards per carry.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

You could look at those numbers and determine that by losing one of their top two backs, the Seminoles are in even more trouble than usual.

But the point is that the rushing attack hasn't produced even with Williams on the field. There's no doubt his leadership in crunch time will be missed, and the 10 touchdowns Williams has on the ground are nothing to scoff at.

At best, however, Williams has been a player tasked with keeping defenses honest. He isn't the focal point of either side's game plan and has just one 100-yard outing on the season.

All of this wouldn't hold much weight if it weren't for the second and more important reason Florida State will be fine without Williams: freshman freak Dalvin Cook.

As the lightning to Williams' thunder, Cook has burst onto the scene in his first year in Tallahassee and rushed for 728 yards and seven touchdowns. Against Miami, Cook had 92 yards on just seven carries, two of which went for scores.

There are certain backs who look like they're moving at a different speed with the football in hand, and Cook is one of them. He cuts without slowing down, accelerates like he's on a drag strip and outruns anyone and everyone in the open field.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Cook didn't play in the season opener against Oklahoma State, and through the team's first five games, he had just 128 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

He's since posted three 100-yard rushing efforts, and while he still lacks the bruising, between-the-tackles ability of Williams—not to mention experience in the system—he's become the Seminoles' best option on the ground.

Cook isn't some freshman racking up yards in garbage time, either. Florida State's struggles have been well-documented, with four out of the last six wins coming by five or fewer points.

In the 2013 regular season, there wasn't a single game in doubt heading into the fourth quarter.

What it means is Cook shouldn't be intimidated by the opponent or the stage, even if the game is close in crunch time. When he does tote the rock, he won't be up against the 1985 Chicago Bears either. The Yellow Jackets are 72nd in the country in rush defense, allowing nearly 170 yards per game.

His teammates have plenty of confidence that he can get the job done, too. "There's not enough positive things you can say about Dalvin. He's been very, very vital to our success," senior center Cameron Erving told ESPN.com.

Fisher explained to reporters how bringing Cook along at the right pace has been important for his development:

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Sometimes when young backs are in the game, you have to call when they get the ball or a couple pass protections that they understand.If you don't, they can be in trouble because your star quarterback can get killed. ... Now his knowledge and learning of the whole offense, I think, is what's growing and you feel confident with him in there and he's running the football really well.

"

The key to victory has been and will continue to be limiting mistakes early so the stage isn't set for a comeback late. If the Winston from 2013 decides to show up, it won't matter who's in the backfield because Florida State can build a lead and coast to a win.

What's likelier to happen is what we've seen in recent weeks: the 'Noles feeling out their opponent and finding a way to win no matter how it looks.

Even if Winston goes off, Georgia Tech has earned enough respect that folks won't assume it'll roll over and die.

Williams has never been the key cog in the offense, and his backup is playing at a higher level. Cook's ability to break off long runs should force the Yellow Jackets to creep in toward the box, at which point Winston will have numerous opportunities to showcase his skills throwing the ball downfield.

Is Williams being ruled out a tough break for the kid and the team? Absolutely, but when you're Florida State, there aren't many problems you can't find answers to.

Losing Williams for the biggest game of the season is a problem, and the answer lies in the arm of Winston and the freshman freak.

Statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com.