Saturday at 12 noon the Seminoles will be back in Doak to play the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The game will be on Bally Sports/RSN.
Louisiana is 5-5 on the season with wins over SE Louisiana, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Arkansas State and Georgia Southern with losses against Rice, UL Monroe, South Alabama, Southern Miss and Troy.
This will be the first matchup between the two programs.
Observations from the last game
The defense was relentless and set up the offense with great field position time and time again.
The offensive line was outstanding and helped Jordan Travis and Trey Benson do almost anything they wanted the whole game. Travis was 21/23 for 155 yards and 5 total TDs, while Benson ran for a career high 163 yards.
Benson won the ACC running back of the week award for the 3rd straight week and center Maurice Smith won the ACC offensive lineman of the week.
Florida State offense versus Louisiana defense
The Cajuns are 27th in the FBS in yards given up per game on the ground. Not only is the Louisiana-Lafayette defensive solid against the run they are great at getting to the quarterback as the Cajuns are 27th in sacks per game and have 2 talented pass rushers in Zi’Yon Hill-Green (7 sacks) and Andre Jones (5.5 sacks).
This defense will get its toughest test of the season with Benson, Tre’Shaun Ward and Lawrance Toafili coming at them behind the talented and cohesive O-line. Tackling machine Jourdan Quibodeaux, 73 stops on the season, will have his hands full with the trio in the Seminole backfield. Louisiana has 14 interceptions on the year with 4 coming from Bralen Trahan, so Travis will need to continue to protect the football.
Florida State defense versus Louisiana offense
Louisiana-Lafayette is in the middle of the pack in passing yards per game (71st) and yards rushing per play (70th). Based on these stats the Cajuns should have more success on the ground with running backs Chris Smith, 5.2 yards per carry, and Terrance Williams.
The ‘Noles have been trending up when it comes to stopping the run but have been dominant against the pass as they sit at 5th in the FBS in passing yards given up per game. Ben Wooldridge (1,661 yards and 15 TDs) has done an admirable job replacing the injured starting quarterback Chandler Fields the past 7 games. Wooldridge’s main target Michael Jefferson, who has 39 catches for 669 yards and 6 TDs in ’22.
Special Teams
Advantage: Florida State
Prediction
After two almost flawless games and a huge game in less than a week, I think it’s only natural for FSU to come out flat. However, Florida State’s speed, physicality and talent make it a moot point as the ‘Noles roll to another victory.
Florida State 45 Louisiana 14.
FSU Preview: Florida State versus Louisiana added by Staff on
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Spot-on with the analysis and damn near spot-on with the score prediction.
Well done. Keep up the good work.
Great Analysis!
Games like this are scheduled to encourage fans to show up for a home game, and stay for the entire game, because there is a strong chance FSU will win. And, don’t want to be too beat-up with UF in town next week.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t do much for rankings when strength of schedule is considered.
But, a win is a win!