Florida State Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Syracuse in Week 10
By Dana Becker
A season not to be remembered continues for Florida State football this Saturday as it welcomes ACC foe Syracuse to Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Seminoles, once ranked in the top-five, are now just 2-5 overall after a 35-3 loss to Boston College last Friday night. Florida State is 2-4 in the conference with four games remaining.
Meanwhile, the Orange (4-4, 2-2 ACC) dropped a 27-19 decision to Miami back in October following an upset over then-No. 2 Clemson inside the Carrier Dome.
For Florida State, the slim chances they have of adding a 36th straight bowl appearance to the resume would completely disappear with a loss to Syracuse. Jimbo Fisher’s ‘Noles have games remaining with Clemson, Delaware State and Florida, and they could try to reschedule a previously postponed contest with Louisiana Monroe.
Along with three losses in their last four games, the Seminoles continue to see key players fall off the depth chart on a weekly basis. Quarterback Deondre Francois was lost for the season vs. Alabama in the season opener, with running back Jacques Patrick and former top recruit George Campbell joining him on the sidelines.
Syracuse, two wins from bowl eligibility, has dates with Wake Forest, Louisville and Boston College to follow after Saturday’s meeting with Florida State.
Here’s how you can watch the Seminoles and Orange on the gridiron:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 4
Time: 12:20 p.m. ET
Location: Tallahassee, Fla.
Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium
TV: ACC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN or TheACC.com
Keys to Victory
It’s so hard to look at what’s happened to Florida State this year. Maybe, the Seminoles were never going to be much of a national title contender, but you have to figure the injuries definitely kept them from competing in the ACC.
Florida State, a team known for producing NFL players at the skill positions, is averaging just over 17 points per game. And the ‘Noles have not been much better on the other side of the ball, surrendering 24 points and almost 350 yards of total offense.
This Saturday’s game isn’t likely to help either of those averages, as head coach Dino Babers and quarterback Eric Dungey are producing 30 points and 455 yards of offense each game. They haven’t scored over 27 in the last five, but have played Miami, Clemson, NC State and LSU during that time.
The Seminoles still feature plenty of talent on the defense, and one would tend to believe that if they are going to close out the year strong, it is going to happen with that side of the ball. James Blackman hasn’t looked the part of a top quarterback recruit, but FSU has Derwin James and company to force turnovers, as Dungey has thrown eight interceptions this year.
Prediction
Fisher’s patience and coaching skills have been challenged this year, dealing with injuries and losses in bunches. That isn’t what he has become accustom to at Florida State, but it could make him a better coach for it.
The Seminoles have the chance to play the role of spoiler from here on out, which would include keeping Syracuse from getting closer to the six-win mark to qualify for a bowl. They play Clemson next week, and a win over the Tigers would knock them from the College Football Playoff picture. And of course they close with Florida, which has already replaced its head coach.
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Look for James and the FSU defense to rattle Dungey and maybe even score a defensive touchdown or two.
Prediction: Florida State 31, Syracuse 14