This Saturday at noon the Seminoles will host the Memphis Tigers in Doak Campbell on ESPN.
Memphis is 2-0 with wins over North Alabama and Troy.
FSU is 10-7-1 against the Tigers in the series history. The last time these 2 schools matched up was in 1990, FSU prevailed 35-3.
Mike Norvell was 38-15 in his 4 years at Memphis.
Observations from the last game
Penalties, dropped passes, missed assignments and bad quarterback play will get you beat almost every time, especially when the other team makes very few mistakes.
BC put 8 defenders in the box to take away the run game and dared DJU and the young receivers to beat them. It worked to perfection as FSU only got 21 yards rushing while DJ Uiagalelei struggled.
Receiver Kentron Portier had a good game with 3 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Florida State offense versus Memphis defense
I expect Norvell to stick with Uiagalelei for at least a quarter but if he struggles it could be Brock Glenn or maybe even Luke Kromenhoek time.
We should see more from freshmen running back Kam Davis and tight ends Landen Thomas and Amaree Williams. Hykeem Williams is expected to play also. Hopefully these changes can provide a spark.
The ‘Noles are going to be thin at right tackle as Robert Scott Jr will most likely replace an injured Jeremiah Byers. FSU can move the ball if they make the simple play and take what the defense gives them.
Players on the Memphis defense to watch for are linebackers Elijah Herring (2 sacks and forced fumble this year) and Chandler Martin (led team with 94 tackles last season).
Florida State defense versus Memphis offense
The Memphis offense is led by quarterback Seth Henigan (37 total touchdowns and 3,883 yards passing in ’23). Henigan can make plays in the run game but isn’t quite the scrambler King and Castellanos are. Without the dangerous scrambling ability FSU defensive end Patrick Payton will be able to play more freely and focus on rushing the passer. Defensive end Sione Lolohea could make a difference with a few more snaps as well.
The Tigers offense is well balanced but have had more success through the air. Henigan’s favorite target so far this season has been Roc Taylor but he likes looking for tight end Brendan Doyle in the red zone.
Mario Anderson is the lead running back with 4 touchdowns in the first 2 games.
Special Teams
Advantage: Florida State. Losing punt returner Jaylin Lucas is a big blow to the unit. Receiver Lawayne McCray is likely to replace him.
Prediction
After a bye week to iron out some of the details on calls, communication and position rotations, the ‘Noles should play better. Memphis is a good enough team to capitalize on mistakes so FSU will need to play well, and I think they get it together enough to pull out a close one. Florida State 23 Memphis 21.
Preview: Florida State versus Memphis added by Scott Carswell Jr on
View all posts by Scott Carswell Jr →
Uiagalelei is a bust. The team is not behind him, nor in front of him for that matter. Time to accept that reality and move on. The season is done… get on about the business of fixing it for the future.
Yo; Mike… it’s not about the mistake… it’s about recognizing your mistake and correcting it.
So FSU paid Memphis $1.3M to come down here and embarrass them? Don’t think I’ll be recommending their School of Business to anyone.
Meanwhile, if the Noles get another whooping next week from Cal, it wouldn’t surprise me if “Unconquered” enters the Transfer Portal.
Maybe if we pay the kids more money and pass Amendment 3, they’ll do better. (sarcasm off)
Go Woke; Go Broke at Doak