Florida State vs. Georgia: Three Key Matchups for Orange Bowl

What can help propel the shorthanded Seminoles to a win in Miami against Georgia in the Orange Bowl?

After being snubbed from the College Football Playoffs, the Florida State Seminoles drew a bowl game matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs. The No. 5 and the No. 6 teams -- the first two to not make the playoffs -- are squaring off in Miami in the Orange Bowl.

While both teams are highly-ranked and this game should be a good matchup, the transfer portal and NFL Draft opt-outs give this game a much different look than if the two teams were at full force.

Marquee names like Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Jared Verse and plenty more are out for the Seminoles while the Bulldogs will be without Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims and others as they've also opted out.

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Things will look much different for both squads in the Orange Bowl, so what will be three key matchups for Florida State to take down Georgia?

1. Florida State Defense vs. Georgia Offense

After Jordan Travis went down with an injury, this has been the case for the Seminoles. The defense is going to give the Seminoles the best chance to win this game. 

With guys like Jared Verse, Renardo Green, Akeem Dent, Fabien Lovett, and Jarrian Jones opting out of the bowl, different guys are going to have to step up and carry a big load in this one. That includes true freshmen such as Blake Nichelson, Quindarrius Jones, Conrad Hussey, and Ja'Bril Rawls.

One area of the Seminoles' defense to keep an eye on is the secondary. If the backup secondary can slow down the Bulldogs, Florida State will have a chance to keep the game much closer. Facing Carson Beck, they'll have to be ready to go in this one.

2. Brock Glenn vs. Georgia Secondary

With Travis out with injury and Tate Rodemaker in the transfer portal, Brock Glenn will have to step up in a huge way once again on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are a top-ten-scoring defense. They've allowed 16.6 points per game on the season. In Glenn's lone start, the Seminoles strung 16 points on Louisville, as he had 55 passing yards, completing eight of his 21 passes. 

Lawrance Toafili is out for this game with an injury and Glenn will have to be much more than a game manager. He's got to be able to throw the ball and keep the chains moving for the Seminoles.

3. Florida State Running Back room vs. Georgia run Defense

Again, Toafili is out for the season with an injury, as NoleGameday reported on Tuesday. This leaves Caziah Holmes and Ja'Khi Douglas as the starting backs with Samuel Singleton and Joshua Burrell backing them up.

The Seminoles offense is going to have to be incredibly sharp. The Bulldogs' defense is a huge challenge, and they allowed just 3.9 yards per carry on the season. They allow around 117 yards on the ground and under 300 total yards per game.

If the Seminoles offense is unable to score, they won't be able to keep up with Georgia, who is a 19-point favorite in this one. Some of these running backs, despite not seeing much playing time this season, will have to step up in a huge opportunity if Florida State wants to be Orange Bowl champions.

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READ MORE: Mike Norvell Discusses Tate Rodemaker's Decision To Transfer From Florida State

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