The 3 Biggest X-Factors for Florida State vs. Georgia Tech

It all comes down to this. Despite being the lone undefeated team in the nation and the reigning national champions, No. 4 Florida State is clinging to its spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

A win Saturday night against No. 11 Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship will almost certainly send the Seminoles into the playoffs—but a loss halts a 28-game winning streak and crushes those championship dreams.

So, who are the three biggest X-factors for Florida State in this game? Let’s take a look.

Dalvin Cook

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

Get ready for the Dalvin Cook show on Saturday night.

Karlos Williams’ absence from the lineup following the concussion he suffered against Florida last week means that Cook will get the start at tailback against Georgia Tech. An Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and a likely trip to the College Football Playoff will be on the line.

In most cases, losing a senior starter and replacing him with a true freshman would be a point of concern. But in this particular case, Cook’s accession up the depth chart is being viewed—both internally and externally—as a non-issue for the ‘Noles. Cook actually leads FSU in rushing with 728 yards and boasts a team-high average of 5.9 yards per carry.

The rookie from Miami, Florida has been perhaps the most dangerous offensive player on FSU’s roster over the past several weeks—particularly late in ballgames. Cook scored game-winning fourth-quarter touchdowns against Louisville and Miami. He then went on to become the go-to tailback in crunch time against Boston College and Florida.

Cook is going to get ample at-bats Saturday night, and (if recent history is any indication) his prominent role in the offense will mean good things for the Seminoles.

“You're used to yelling at [freshmen], and [I] realized I didn't yell at [Cook] in a couple days,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “You watch that [practice] film every day, and he's blocking so and so, and that guy's a good player for us. He's running and making that guy miss, who is a really good player for us."

"All of a sudden you notice it over a period of time.”

Matthew Thomas

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

Like Dalvin Cook, Matthew Thomas is a freshman injury replacement in the FSU lineup.

With Terrance Smith hobbled by injury and listed as questionable for the ACC Championship Game, Thomas will get the start at linebacker for the FSU defense (and FSU coach Jimbo Fisher doesn’t think his team will miss a beat in Charlotte, N.C.).

“I like where he’s playing right now,” Fisher said Thursday night before FSU left Tallahassee. “[He's] doing a really good job. … I think he’ll fit in really well. He’s been playing very well, very well.”

Thomas’ opportunities have been limited this season (he was suspended by the NCAA for the first half of the season, per Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel, and missed the first quarters against Florida after being flagged for targeting a week earlier against Boston College, per Jason Lisk of USA Today), but the redshirt freshman’s impact when he has been in the lineup is undeniable.

Long, rangy and possessing the ability to rush the passer and help in run support, Thomas has the chance to be a special player for FSU. Against Georgia Tech and its option attack, the pressure will be on Thomas to play disciplined and get off blocks.

Fisher and his staff know what Thomas can do. A big performance against the Yellow Jackets could let the college football world know that too.

Jameis Winston

John Raoux/Associated Press

Which Jameis Winston will show up on Saturday night? Will it be the one who tossed four interceptions against Florida a week ago? Or will it be the one who, a week prior, had one of the most efficient and effective games of his career against Boston College?

Georgia Tech is hoping for the former and not the latter, as Winston’s 17 interceptions this season are already seven more than he had all of last season.

When Winston is on, there is nobody better than he is at the quarterback position in the entire nation. However, his turnover issues in 2014 have been a problem for Florida State. Do the Seminoles need him to be perfect (or close to it) to win? No, as last week showed. But they certainly don’t need him to give the game away—especially against a Georgia Tech team that is already dangerous enough.

A big night by Winston could send FSU to the College Football Playoff. But a bad one could officially crush the ‘Noles’ title hopes and put a halt to the team’s 28-game winning streak.

Brandon Mellor is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of Seminoles.com. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @BrandonMellor on Twitter.