On Tuesday, OL Landon Dickerson returned to practice and rejoined a group that has struggled early in the season. The line has shown slight improvements, but are yet to start a game with the same five guys. Dickerson’s return would help solidify the group, and Taggart is hopeful that it could be this Saturday.

“Landon is getting better,” Taggart said. “Each day he has gotten better and is getting more reps. He’s getting better and hopefully on Saturday he can play.”

While Dickerson’s return could help spark the offense, it won’t matter if they can’t keep the ball off the ground, which was a major theme in practice this week. We learned that tight end Tre’ McKitty and anyone else who fumbled against NIU was obligated to carry a ball with them wherever they went this week. Taggart was encouraged after seeing his player’s embrace ball security all week.

“Watching them in practice, watching practice film, and seeing guys carry the ball high and tight and doing things we stressed was really neat to see because our guys are taking pride in it,” Taggart said. “It’s been a big issue for our football team and they want to get it corrected. Hopefully the importance and the sense of urgency with the football pays off for us in the game.”

Finally, after defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett suggested that his defense would be fired up to take on Louisville after they’ve struggled against the Cardinal’s offense in recent years, Taggart said the intensity comes more from needing a win now than what happened two years ago.

“I wouldn’t say because of what happened last time,” Taggart said. “It’s just the fact of us getting better as a football team and it’s a conference game. Right now, it’s not two years ago, it’s now. We have to play better and it’s a conference game and we need a win. It’s on the road and it’s going to be challenging, but our guys understand that and know that we have to practice really well in order for us to play well.”

Florida State takes on Louisville Saturday at 3:30 PM.