Every season has a theme, and for Florida State, the 2016 campaign has been about the challenges of a rigorous schedule.
Sagarin ranks No. 11 FSU (9-3) as playing the 11th-toughest schedule in the nation, and No. 6 Michigan will represent the latest and final chapter. The Wolverines (10-2) are very strong in several areas, but particularly on defense, where they feature a unit that ranks No. 2 nationally.
Led by Heisman Trophy finalist Jabrill Peppers, they've limited opponents to an average of 252.7 yards and 18 touchdowns across 12 games.
"They play very hard and that's the thing about senior-laden teams," Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said. "They don't give you anything. You're going to have to make contested catches. You're going to have to break tackles. You're going to have to make blocks.
"They're not going to jump out of gaps and all of a sudden -- as you hear me saying -- sometimes you make plays for the wrong reasons."
Michigan runs a 4-3 base defense and returns six starters from last season. Of those six starters, five are either fourth- or fifth-year seniors. The lone non-senior returner was Peppers, who is a junior.
Seven of the team's eight leading tacklers are seniors. Linebacker Ben Gedeon has a team-high 104 tackles, and he's not even one of the team's designated "stars."
Peppers logged 726 snaps between linebacker and defensive back this season. He's second on the team with 72 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. Peppers also has eight quarterback hurries and one interception.
He is the third Heisman Trophy finalist FSU will play this season. The Seminoles also faced Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Louisville's Lamar Jackson, who won the award.
"Peppers. Hats off to him. I knew about him since high school and played in the All-American game against him," Seminoles junior receiver Travis Rudolph said. "Peppers, he's a dog. He's a dog, really, to be honest with you. We're going to be ready for him."
Another senior -- defensive back Jourdan Lewis -- has also caught Rudolph's attention. Lewis is one of a few players nationally who can challenge for the title of best cornerback in college football.
He held opposing receivers to 10 catches for 107 yards in all games this season, while recording 23 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
"Jourdan is a great player," Rudolph said. "Like you just said, the stats speak for itself. I feel like going up against him, you have to come with it because he's going to come with it.
"He reminds me of Jalen [Ramsey] every day in practice. You know you're going up against the best, so you have to be at your best."
