Florida State at Georgia Tech: 8 Things to Know

The Florida State Seminoles know a little something about the triple-open offense and what Georgia Tech will use to try and claim the ACC Championship on Saturday, ending FSU’s 28-game winning streak.

Realistically, The Citadel is not the Yellow Jackets and Georgia Tech may be the best team FSU faces all season long.

In laymen’s terms, this game for the ACC Title will be tough on both teams come Saturday.

The Citadel plays a triple-option offense, which means one of three things will happen: The quarterback will keep the ball and run, he will hand it off to the fullback on the dive play or he will pitch to a running back. Yes, Georgia Tech does pass the ball—but it's happened just 91 times in 12 games.

"Citadel ran it pretty good," FSU linebacker Terrance Smith said. "We had a good chance to face it this year. I think we're a little more prepared than other teams are facing it."

Georgia Tech (10-2) runs the ball extremely well, racking up 333 yards on the ground each game. It will be a tough challenge for FSU (12-0), which is looking to win its third straight ACC title and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

With everything outside the football field on the radar with Jameis Winston and his code of conduct hearing, hopefully FSU will remain focused on the prize.

Here are eight things to know about this important clash.

TECH CAN RUN THE BALL

FSU knows what is coming on Saturday.

"Citadel ran it pretty good," FSU linebacker Terrance Smith said. "We had a good chance to face it this year. I think we're a little more prepared than other teams are facing it."

Georgia Tech (10-2) runs the ball extremely well, racking up 333 yards on the ground each game. It will be a tough challenge for FSU (12-0), which is looking to win its third straight ACC title and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

STOPPING THE RUN

Which defense will show up?

FSU has played the run well at times late in the season, holding Virginia to 37 yards and keeping Florida to 113 yards on 33 carries. But Miami accumulated 176 rushing yards, with Duke Johnson racking up 130 yards.

Georgia Tech is the kind of offense that will move the chains with four-yard carries, wearing out FSU's defense if the Seminoles can't force the Yellow Jackets to punt. So FSU must prevent long drives, or else Georgia Tech will win the time-of-possession battle and could pull off the upset.

GETTING THE JOB DONE

FSU is seeing fewer possessions the past few games, getting the ball just eight times against Boston College and 13 vs. Florida. The Seminoles were only able to score on four possessions against the Eagles, and they fell short on four of five second-half drives (managing just a field goal after halftime).

Coach Jimbo Fisher has mentioned that the team needs to be more efficient, that the Seminoles must start faster and value possessions. Against Florida, the Seminoles had five turnovers. FSU is looking at a game against Georgia Tech where it may only see the ball eight to 10 times.

YELLOW JACKETS MUST STING ON DEFENSE

Georgia Tech has allowed 24 points per game, which puts the Yellow Jackets 42nd nationally. But it's also one of the more opportunistic defenses in the nation (ranking 12th in the Football Bowl Subdivision), generating 17 interceptions and recovering 10 fumbles.

After a Saturday in which Winston was intercepted four times, Georgia Tech can win this game with a few turnovers.

HE WHO CONTROLS THE CLOCK WINS

If FSU is to win and if Georgia Tech is to beat the streak, they must control the clock. Long drives are the name of the game for both programs.

The run game for Tech could provide that kind of advantage.

The Yellow Jackets' average time of possession is 34 minutes per game. If they can repeat that effort, and get points off long drives, they have a chance to upset FSU.

Florida State must use the run, especially with Dalvin Cook as the lead dog of the offense. If Cook can break long runs and score when the passing game fails, FSU should be fine.

ALL EYES ON JAMEIS

This is the game that can shut the critics up. This is the game that he can make the media and fans forget about his game against Florida. Everything within this game rises and falls with Jameis Winston.

We have been waiting for the game defining moment for him this season – the closest thing has been Notre Dame and Miami. We all want to see more.

Winston completed just 12 of 24 passes for 125 yards, two touchdowns and a career-high four interceptions against Florida. How will Winston respond to his worst college game?

In 11 games this season, Winston has thrown for 250 or more yards in 10 of them (he was suspended for the Clemson game and fell well short vs. the Gators). Expect Winston to come back looking focused against a Georgia Tech defense that ranks 57th nationally against the pass.

ALL EYES ON THE OFFENSE

Georgia Tech must be effective on offense early.

Quarterback Justin Thomas is the key to the offense, a mobile quarterback who also reads the defense and makes the decision to keep, hand off or pitch. He has run for a team-high 861 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Georgia Tech's top two tailbacks are built like fullbacks and are physical. Running back Zach Laskey has 748 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. And running back Synjyn Days has has 683 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

FSU WINS

This is an odd week for FSU. They fall to fourth in the CFP rankings, there is a hearing regarding Winston and now, the need to focus on playing possibly their hardest opponent of the season.

Look for FSU to try to strike early. This is a game where the Seminoles cannot fall behind and expect to turn a switch on and win.

Georgia Tech is a team that will run the ball, burn the clock and sit on its opponents. That is why they are in the title game.

FSU wins, but it will be close – shocking, I know.

FSU 27 GEORGIA TECH 20