Notre Dame Football: Key Offensive Matchups vs. Florida State

Brandon Wimbush vs FSU Secondary

This is a matchup that wouldn’t even be close if Ian Book were still starting, and even though he’s out, it’s still pretty lopsided. Wimbush leading the offense this week has many worried about the Irish passing game. It is no question that Book is a better pure passer that can accurately make just about any short or intermediate throw. With his absence and the potential snow this weekend, the run game will be much more relied upon to make the Irish offense successful.

Wimbush isn’t as accurate, but he’t not incompetent. He has 16 career starts under his belt and is 13-3 as a starter. The play-calling should be adjusted to his strengths, meaning getting him outside the pocket and setting up high percentage throws. I don’t expect to see as many wide receiver slip screens or deep shots taken like we’ve seen with Book recently.

For Wimbush and these receivers, they will have a great chance of being successful, even in the snow, vs the young and ever-changing FSU secondary. This unit for the ‘Noles is giving up almost 300 yards through the air per game and will be relying on mostly sophomores and freshman this weekend to slow the Irish down.

Having to replace Derwin James, Tarvarus McFadden and Trey Marshall from last season has left large shoes to fill all year. Cornerback Levonta Taylor was supposed to be the next star of supposedly “DBU” after a great sophomore campaign, but has underwhelmed this season and will miss this week’s game for “undisclosed reasons.”

In his absence, we’ll see sophomore Stanford Samuels III, who, at 6-2, will be the best matchup for the larger Claypool or Boykin. Samuels was previously playing free safety before making the switch to corner last week against NC State, and seems to have found a new home. He played in all 13 games a season ago and has recorded 41 tackles and two interceptions so far this season.

Opposite of Samuels will be freshman Asante Samuel Jr. or junior Kyle Meyers. Samuel Jr. has given the Seminoles decent production as a true freshman, already recording seven pass breakups on the season. If Meyers doesn’t get the start, still expect him to see the field. He has 27 career games under his belt and two interceptions on the season.

At safety, sophomore Hamsah Nasirildeen and senior A.J. Westbrook will anchor the back end of the defense. Westbrook is the most experienced player in this secondary, entering the game with 33 career games played and 13 career passes broken up. At 6-4, Nasirildeen appeared in all 13 games last season as a freshman and has recorded 72 tackles on the season. His larger frame would make him ideal for support in coverage of Miles Boykin — who has recorded a touchdown reception in five straight games.

For Notre Dame, the big bodies on the outside and emerging play of Michael Young and Chris Finke puts weapons all over the field for Wimbush. The Seminole secondary is constantly rotating puzzle pieces with guys having to step up in new positions, and it has made them a weakness all season.

The weather might limit the big play through the air and keep the passing yardage below the average of what FSU normally gives up, but that won’t stop Wimbush from making plays through the air when necessary.

Advantage: Irish