Florida State redshirt freshman EJ Manuel could not be put in a tougher situation as he is slated to make his first career start this weekend due to usual starter Christian Ponder being sidelined for the remainder of the season with a separated shoulder.
A lot of streaks are on the line this Saturday in Winston-Salem when the Demon Deacons play host to the Florida State Seminoles and the Tribe will look to Manuel to lead them to victory.
Going bowling?
Florida State still needs to win two of their next three games in order to become bowl eligible. Currently, Florida State has the longest streak of bowl game appearances in the nation at 27 consecutive years. The Seminoles must find a way to beat Wake Forest and Maryland, because a win at Florida on Tim Tebow’s senior day seems unlikely right now.
QB’s to go 4-0 versus the ’Noles?
Riley Skinner is in a position to do what no quarterback has ever done against Florida State; play them four times and win every meeting. Never in history has a quarterback started against FSU four times and won every game. Manuel will need to play well to stop his counterpart, Skinner from being the first to accomplish this feat.
ACC team snags four consecutive wins versus the ’Noles?
Since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference, Florida State has never lost four consecutive games to a fellow ACC school. Wake Forest has defeated the Seminoles each of the last three seasons and will look to defeat Florida State for the fourth consecutive time after losing their first 14 meetings against the Seminoles while in the ACC.
As you can see, there is a lot on the line this weekend and although Manuel says he is not feeling any pressure, he most likely is. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of leading the Tribe to victory on Tobacco Road.
Manuel is a 6-5, 215 pound quarterback that was ranked as the second best signal-caller in high school by Scout.com during his senior season at Bayside High in Virginia. He was recruited by every major university one can think of including Alabama, LSU, Penn State and Miami, but in the end chose to sign with Jimbo Fisher and Florida State.
The former five-star standout has been on Florida State’s campus for over a year now and has been working under the best quarterback coach in the nation, Jimbo Fisher. Fisher and Manuel’s receivers both claim that he has come leaps and bounds since his arrival as a true freshman, when most thought he would compete for the starting job immediately.
Here is an excerpt from Manuel’s Scout.com profile as a high school senior.
“Despite his athletic ability, Manuel is a pocket passer who just happens to have the ability to evade the rush and make a play. When that happens he can tuck it and run and throw on the run. He can also stand tall in the pocket and pick you apart. Manuel will hang on to the ball, deliver an accurate pass and take the big hit. When he has time to set his feet he can throw with great velocity. He can make all the passes and throw with touch.”
The only attribute Manuel is currently lacking that could hinder him this weekend in his lack of experience at the college level. The Virginia Beach native has only attempted four passes this season in limited action. Nearly every game Florida State has played in this season has come down to the wire limiting Manuel’s chances of seeing any playing time.
Over recent years, several raw quarterbacks have come in and had success against Florida State, so I see no reason why Manuel can’t go into Winston-Salem and have a breakout performance in his first career start against Wake Forest.
Will Manuel keep Florida State’s bowl hopes alive?
I think so. Florida State’s rushing game has come on the past two weeks as Jermaine Thomas has eclipsed the 100 yard mark in both games. A solid rushing attack against Wake, a team that has had trouble stopping the run all season is very possible and should take some pressure off of Manuel early.
Another good sign for Florida State is that their defense showed signs of life against Clemson last weekend. They forced several punts and turnovers which is something they have not done all year long. If they can slow down Skinner and Co. just a little, then EJ will be put in a position to lead the Tribe to victory.
Lastly, Jimbo Fisher is considered one of the greatest offensive minds in football and will do everything in his power to put Manuel in positions he is comfortable with. Manuel was Fisher’s first recruit while he was at Florida State and knows his strengths and weaknesses better than anyone. He will make sure to call plays that suit Manuel’s abilities and put him in position to be successful.
Prediction:
Manuel plays well enough and manages the game as he leads the Seminoles to the upset on the road.
Florida State 28, Wake Forest 27
Bonus prediction:
EJ Manuel: 16-22, 225 yards, 1 TD