FSU in the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl: 5 Players You Need to Know

The Florida State Seminoles enter into their Champs Sports Bowl showdown with Notre Dame with plenty of challenges awaiting them against the Irish. 

At the top of the list will be an angry ‘Noles offensive unit eager to prove that their late season woes are a thing of the past.

Awaiting them at the Citrus Bowl on Thursday is a stingy Fighting Irish defense that runs a 3-4 scheme, and is led by All-American linebacker Manti Te’o.

The ‘Noles will also be tested on defense, especially in the secondary where they will have to find a way to stop a talented group of Irish skill players headlined by wide receiver Michael Floyd. 

For FSU to earn its fourth consecutive bowl victory, several players will have to step up their level of play. 

With kickoff in Orlando just days away, here are five Seminoles you need to keep an eye on.

5. Lamarcus Joyner

Florida State has traditionally struggled defending teams that possess athletic, pass-catching tight ends. 

The Seminoles will have their hands full with Mackey Award finalist Tyler Eifert, a 6'6", 250-pound junior who caught 57 passes for 713 yards and five touchdowns.

The task of making sure he is not running loose in the Seminoles’ secondary falls on the capable Joyner. 

Despite being a first-year starter, the former cornerback brought a physical presence to the safety position. 

His coverage skills are excellent as well, and his play this year was a big reason for the dramatic improvement in the ‘Noles pass defense.  

4. Josue Matias

The Seminoles could potentially start four true freshmen on the offensive line against Notre Dame. 

While tackle Bobby Hart (eight starts) and center Austin Barron (two starts) have already cracked the rotation, Matias is one of the green rookies who will partake in the first significant action of his collegiate career. 

The 6'5", 320-pounder is projected to make the start at left guard replacing junior Jacob Fahrenkrug, who struggled mightily in his season at FSU.

Matias is athletic enough to potentially play left tackle, which is the position he was initially brought in for when he signed with FSU in February.

3. Tre Jackson

The other new face to the starting lineup will be Jackson, another talented true freshman who will fill in for sophomore right guard Garrett Faircloth. 

Jackson is a player that Seminoles’ coaches have high hopes for in the future.

They will get their first real glimpse of the 6'4", 300-pound Jackson against a talented Irish front seven. 

With the addition of Jackson and Matias to the lineup, the ‘Noles may lose some experience, but they will gain size and become a significantly bigger group up front with every starter tipping the scales at 300 pounds or better.  

2. Xavier Rhodes

Considering the struggles FSU had with elite wide receivers earlier this season like Clemson’s Sammy Watkins and Oklahoma’s Kenny Stills, Seminoles fans likely shudder at the thought of trying to stop Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd.

Despite the Irish’s quarterback issues, Floyd had a strong season catching 95 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.

Floyd is a big target (6'3", 224 pounds) that physically overwhelms most corners. 

Rhodes has the size (6'2", 215 pounds) and the athletic ability to match up with Floyd, and after a largely disappointing season, he has a chance to regain the buzz surrounding his NFL draft stock with a strong showing against an NFL-caliber receiver in Floyd.  

Rhodes was up to the task in last year's bowl victory over South Carolina, when he slowed down another potential top draft pick in Alshon Jeffrey.  

1. Shawn Powell

When Florida State last played in this bowl, kicking specialist Graham Gano took home the MVP honors in the Seminoles' 42-13 win over the Wisconsin Badgers. 

Gano downed several punts inside the Badgers 5-yard line and constantly put their offense at a disadvantage with bad field position.  

With Powell leading the nation in punting average, the ‘Noles may be able to repeat that rare feat against the Irish. 

Powell could make a case to be the team’s MVP this season, and there are some eye-popping stats to back up that strong claim. 

In a game that may turn out to be a defensive struggle, FSU has an ace up its sleeve with Powell.