On Saturday at 3:30 the Seminoles will host the Syracuse Orange on the ACC Network.
Syracuse is 3-1 on this season with wins against Ohio, Albany and Liberty with their lone loss coming at the hands of Rutgers.
FSU is 11-2 in the all-time series against the Orange. The last time these two teams played was in 2019 and Florida State prevailed 38-10.
Observations from the last game
FSU outplayed Louisville for the final 34 minutes but the first 26 minutes were so bad that they were unable to dig themselves out of the hole. At the end of the game FSU averaged more yards per play than Louisville. This is the third game in a row that FSU has gained more yards per play than their opponent. If the ‘Noles can find a way to play a full game they will be able to secure a few victories.
Jashaun Corbin had a huge game once again. He had 159 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.
Florida State offense versus Syracuse defense
McKenzie Milton got off to a slow start once again but found a rhythm in the hurry up offense towards the end of the 1st half. Hopefully he is starting to find his footing. FSU will need to keep working the run game with Jashaun Corbin and Treshaun Ward. Corbin is 2nd in the FBS in yards per rush with 9.1 and is 12th in total yards rushing with 439.
Undersized but very quick Syracuse defensive end Cody Roscoe has 4.5 sacks this season. The FSU offensive line should have everyone available to play to try to keep Milton upright.
Florida State defense versus Syracuse offense
The Orange started the year using a two-quarterback system with Tommy DeVito and Garrett Shrader. After a tough outing at Rutgers for DeVito, Shrader was installed as the primary quarterback. Shrader is used more as a runner as he threw for only 77 yards against Liberty but has run for 97 yards this year. Syracuse is 122 out of 130 in the FBS in passing yards per game, which is good news for the FSU defense given the struggles in the secondary.
For all the struggles that Syracuse has had in the passing game their rushing attack has been one of the best in the nation with running back Sean Tucker leading the charge. Tucker is second in the FBS in rushing yards with 536 and is the leading receiver on the team with 176 receiving yards. The Seminole linebackers will need to continue with their solid play against the run.
Special teams
Though kickers for both teams have been shaky this year. FSU punter Alex Mastromanno has the clear advantage over his counterpart.
Prediction
The ‘Noles are going to win by playing an almost complete game from start to finish and cutting down on the big passing plays. Seminoles 35 Syracuse 21.
FSU Preview: Florida State versus Syracuse added by Scott Carswell Jr on
View all posts by Scott Carswell Jr →
The Noles can win this game if they limit turnovers, penalties and huge passing plays.
Don’t expect that to happen. This team has proven that it can not play disciplined football. To compound the problem, we have very few players that can make big time play, Corbin, mostly. We are out- muscled, out-run and out-smarted at almost every position by every opponent.
Very, very disappointing start but, hopefully, we can put something together fast and get 2-3 wins. Good luck Noles!
Syracuse 38, FSU much less.
Funny how there has been several Home Games where the Stadium was PACKED and yet I have heard nothing about any Covid Spikes from them? Is it to early for that to be reported or did I miss it?
42-17… Syracuse
Dear God,
“Thank you for this new day.
It is such a privilege and a blessing to play football.
Please fill us with energy and passion as we push ourselves to do well.
Help us all to compete with fairness in our hearts and minds and give us the grace to accept success or defeat.
Protect our health and bodies as we challenge, tackle and run today.
Watch over all those present, the spectators young and old, and our nearest and dearest families.
May this game celebrate sport, and be enjoyable for everyone.”
Amen.
Prediction
The ‘Noles are going to win by playing an almost complete game from start to finish and cutting down on the big passing plays. Seminoles 35 Syracuse 21.
They will win by playing an almost complete game? How do you do that?