If any ACC squad is built to withstand the loss of one of its top targets, it’s Florida State. And that will be tested once again on Saturday.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson will not be available as the Seminoles play at Acrisure Stadium Saturday afternoon. It’s a big — literally — loss on the outside.
Wilson, who stands at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, posed a massive matchup nightmare for the shorter Pitt cornerbacks.
Pat Narduzzi expected to have to find a way to slow down Wilson just a couple of days ago.
“I mean, they’ve got a 6-7, they’ve got a 6-4, they’ve got a 6-3,” Narduzzi said Thursday at his weekly news conference. “I’m sure Wilson will play, the 6-7 guy. They’ve got receivers, but they also will go — we call it a 21 pony, where they have a tailback and No. 9 will be a receiver. He’s a tailback, but he’s athletic.”
Wilson has dealt with injuries this season, missing a couple of games earlier this season, but his loss is certainly one that will be felt by the Seminoles.
After leading the Seminoles in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season, Wilson and Keon Coleman have formed a jumbo duo this season. In six games, Wilson has caught 25 passes for 415 yards (16.6 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
Without Wilson, Coleman — who leads the ‘Noles with 38 receptions for 538 yards (14.2 yards per reception) and nine touchdowns — will be leaned upon more heavily. And Jahiem Bell and Trey Benson will be utilized in the passing game.
Benson leads Florida State with 544 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns on the ground, too.
It will be a very tough task to slow down Jordan Travis and the Seminoles, and Pitt will benefit from Wilson sitting out once again, but it still might not matter.
