---

FSU vs. Louisville prediction roundtable with the Campus Insiders staff. Breaking down what will happen in Saturday’s matchup between the Seminoles and Cardinals.

---

The Florida State Seminoles and Louisville Cardinals square off this weekend in a top-10 showdown that carries both ACC and College Football Playoff implications. The Noles hold a commanding, 14-2 lead over the Cardinals, and have won two straight. FSU has won each of the past two meetings by double digits, 41-21 (2015) and 42-31 (2014). 

FSU vs. Louisville Predictions

Brian Stultz

C-A-R-D-S CARDS!

F-L-O-R-I-D-A, S-T-A-T-E, FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA STATE, WOOOOOOOO!!!

Okay, enough of my yelling. This is going to be a good one. It’s too bad it’s such an early game, but both teams will be ready. The battle between Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson and FSU quarterback Deondre Francois could be epic and will go a long way in determining who takes a major step toward the ACC Atlantic Division. The Cardinal fans will be hyped for possibly the biggest game in, well, I’m not going to say the name of the stadium, but yes, it will be amped up. FSU makes a couple of mistakes, and Jackson wins this one for Da ‘Ville.

Dave Miller

Even though this game will have an early (Noon ET) kickoff, fans at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium will be LIT–in more ways than one. ACC fans have circled FSU-Clemson on their calendars with the thought that the game would be for the Atlantic Division crown. But Bobby Petrino’s squad has first dibs on the ‘Noles, and quarterback Lamar Jackson is in the center of the national spotlight. It’s a veteran Cards squad that shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the moment. Deondre Francois and Jackson will be able to move the ball through the air, but only one team has Dalvin Cook. The elite talent will be leaned on by the ‘Noles in the fourth quarter as they try to close out the win. FSU gets the job done in a game that goes down to the wire, as a Jackson Hail Mary pass gets batted down in the final seconds.

Jeff Bartl

I’m excited about the early start for this one. It gets a College Football Saturday kicked off with a good one rather than suffering through a blowout. And this one won’t be a blowout. It’s tough to pick against Deondre Francois and Dalvin Cook after what happened against Ole Miss, but the defense is responsible for stopping Lamar Jackson and Derwin James won’t be around to help. Jackson will run and pass his way to five touchdowns in the early afternoon sun as the Cardinals pull out a close one and get themselves firmly into the College Football Playoff discussion.

Jonathan Bass

Florida State will be without Derwin James and likely Josh Sweat. That’s no bueno when going up against the nation’s No. 1 offense – both in scoring and yards. Florida State, as has become their custom, will come out sluggishly and be forced to dig out of an early hole. They’ll rally and make it close, but the injuries on defense will be too much to overcome. Louisville takes it.

Glenn McGraw

A noon kickoff for arguably the biggest ACC game of the year? Nailed it, powers-that-be. At least we shoot right out of the gate to start the day, which is what Louisville will also do. Florida State will be without Derwin James, the team’s defensive leader and, from the sounds of it, defensive end Josh Sweat. That’s not going to make it any easier to stop Lamar Jackson, who will put up some big numbers. The Noles won’t go down easily in this one, but Louisville finishes it in the end, unlike Ole Miss.

MORE: College Football Predictions For Every Week 3 Game