Florida State Football: Noles look to stave off upset-minded Orange
Florida State football heads into their Week 3 matchup against Syracuse looking for their first win in ACC play. Do the Noles need to worry about an upset?
Florida State versus Syracuse on paper should like an easy matchup for the Seminoles to win. However, we all know games aren’t played on paper and Syracuse has become a dangerous team to face in the ACC.
The Willie Taggart era hasn’t gotten off to the best start, as Florida State lost to Virginia Tech in Week 1 and struggled mightily before pulling away against Samford last week.
Syracuse has put a bunch of points on the board, and it is clear that this team will be led by their offense all season long.
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Date: September 15th
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Location: Syracuse, NY
Venue: Carrier Dome
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
Florida State will need their offense to get into a rhythm early in this game. If the Seminoles can’t get a quick score to start the game off, that may be all the ammunition the crazy Syracuse faithful will need to shell shock their opponents.
De’Ondre Francois has not played up to expectations so far this season and has only three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games. He will have to play like the former All-ACC player he was before the injury he sustained against Alabama last season.
Syracuse can pull off the upset if it can get an out of this world performance by quarterback Eric Dungey. He is a highlight waiting to happen and reminds me a lot of Eric Crouch with his ability to run with the football.
If he is playing great there’s no reason the Cuse’ offense can’t put up 40 points for the third game in a row.
Betting Odds
Courtesy of Oddshark
Point Spread: Florida State -2.5
Over/Under: 68
Prediction
The Seminoles will play a poor first half, scoring only twice and they will head into the half facing a deficit. Syracuse will move the ball consistently against the Noles’ defense, and Eric Dungey will give them a 21-10 lead.
As the second half starts, however, it will be Cam Akers time to take over. The FSU coaching staff will smartly get him 20 touches and he will make good use of them, and average over six yards per carry in the second half.
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The defense will keep the Orange out of the end zone and make them settle for 3 field goals as they help FSU climb back into the game. A late drive in the fourth quarter led by Francoise passing the ball effectively will see FSU win on a last-second field goal, stunning the hopes of any Syracuse fan thinking they had a shot at the ACC title game.
Prediction: Florida State Wins 32-30