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FSU vs. Louisville prediction and game preview. The Seminoles look to stay undefeated as they host the Cardinals in Doak Campbell Stadium.
October 13, 2015The Florida State Seminoles (5-0) will be looking to protect their perfect record when the Louisville Cardinals (2-3) invade Tallahassee this weekend. Check out the FSU vs. Louisville prediction and game preview.
Date: Saturday, October 17
Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Network: ESPN
Follow and/or Contact @Rich Cirminiello
Clemson may be the team to beat in the ACC, but Florida State is the defending champ until proven otherwise.
The Seminoles, for all of their perceived shortcomings, haven’t lost a regular season game in almost three years. And beating Miami—again—last week kept Florida State on track for its enormous tilt with the Tigers on Nov. 7. Louisville is in the early stages of a recovery from an 0-3 start, beating Samford and NC State before getting a bye. The victory over the Wolfpack in Raleigh was particularly poignant for a struggling team that was pining for anything resembling a quality win.
The record may be unacceptable, but the defense is not. Todd Grantham’s D is once again feisty, especially near the line of scrimmage. And that front seven, spearheaded by interior linemen Sheldon Rankins and DeAngelo Brown and linebackers Keith Kelsey and James Burgess, will be a major problem for a still-evolving Seminole O-line. The Noles are creating daylight for RB Dalvin Cook, but they can still be beaten at the point of attack.
Cook and QB Everett Golson give the Noles a decided edge on offense. Cook is one of the nation’s premier backs, averaging nine yards a carry and delivering an epic performance last week versus the Canes. And Golson has been steady, throwing 139 passes without a pick. Louisville, on the other hand, is averaging just 23 points against FBS opponents. And the combination of a rookie quarterback, Lamar Jackson, and a weak O-line will create big-play chances for the FSU D.
Jackson will need to do more than run with the ball, at which he excels. The Seminoles will stack the box to neutralize his speed and force him to challenge quality DBs Jalen Ramsey, Marquez White, Lamarcus Brutus, Trey Marshall and Tyler Hunter. Not easy. Nor will it be simple keeping DE DeMarcus Walker and DT Nile Lawrence-Stample from flushing the pocket.
Nothing is ever boring at Florida State, nor will this week’s game with Louisville. The Cardinals can be nasty on D, and the Seminoles are fresh off an emotional win over rival Miami. So, the Cards are liable to stick around deep into the second half. However, that inability to sustain drives and reach the end zone consistently will prevent Louisville from actually closing the deal. FSU survives on the strength of its D and its dominant running back.
Prediction: Florida State 23, Louisville 17, Line: Florida State -7, o/u: 46
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