2013 Orange Bowl: FSU has size advantage but expects tough game from NIU

Northern Illinois has one of the smallest defenses that Florida State will face this season, but Seminoles players and coaches have a healthy respect for what the Huskies have been able to do despite their stature, and they are expecting a tough matchup in the 2013 Orange Bowl.

Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel said his offense will have to match the disciplined play of NIU's defense.

"I just see a lot of guys that run to the ball and give great effort," Manuel said. "They’re well-coached. They seem very disciplined on film. So we’ll have to do the same thing – be very disciplined and just execute our offense."

Northern Illinois has just one defensive tackle on its two-deep weighing more than 300 pounds, and its starting linebackers are all shorter than 6 feet tall. Still, the Huskies finished the regular season ranked 34th nationally in total defense and 18th in scoring. They held five opponents to seven points or fewer.