Louisville Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. FSU in Week 8
Louisville football takes on Florida State in Week 8 a battle of unexpectedly unranked teams. Here’s everything you need to know.
How the mighty have fallen. When people were circling games on the calendar heading into the 2017 season this one was supposed to have enormous College Football Playoff implications. Now it looks like neither team will win finish in the top two in the ACC Atlantic, let alone contend for a major bowl berth.
Florida State’s woes started when they lost Deondre Francois to an injury on opening night against Alabama. Since then the Noles are 2-2 with losses to NC State and Miami, both currently ranked in the Top 25. A win over the Cardinals, while not ranked, would be their be biggest victory of the season.
Likewise, Louisville is still searching for a landmark victory. The Cardinals are 1-3 in ACC play with losses to Clemson, NC State and Boston College. Their season is proof that having the best player on the field does not guarantee you success.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s game between Louisville and Florida State:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tallahassee, Fl.
Venue: Doak Cambell Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Keys to Victory
Florida State’s task is to not let anyone other than Lamar Jackson beat them. It sounds counter intuitive, but its become the proven formula to defeat the Cardinals so far this season. In Louisville’s three losses Jackson has thrown for more than 300 yards, rushed for at least 60 and scored no fewer than three combined touchdowns. He’s going to get his stats, but he can’t do it all by himself.
Louisville is going to need to find a way to run the football. The Seminoles do not have the same level of shutdown defense that they’ve had in years past, but they have been particularly stingy against the run. Through their first five games they are fourth best in the ACC, allowing 114.6 yards per game on the ground. That includes limiting mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts to just 55 yards rushing.
Prediction
As much as the evidence points towards Florida State, it’s still difficult to pick against Lamar Jackson. His team doesn’t have a strong defense and the weapons around him are lacking. As long as he can create points out of thin air, because let’s be honest that’s basically what he does, I’m sticking with the Cardinals over just about anyone.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round entering Week 8
Florida State has a -5 turnover margin on the year. The Noles have a few crucial giveaways in the second half and give Jackson one too many chances to cash in extra points.
Final Score: Louisville 41, Florida State 38