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Gameday Central
Syracuse (3-4) at Florida State (6-1) 12:00 PM
Watch: ABC, WatchESPN
Listen: 'Nole Radio Networks, 'Cuse Radio Networks
Weather: It should be another bright, warm day in Tallahassee. Skies will be clear with temps around 78 at kickoff, 82 by the end of the game. Breezy, with winds at 12 mph out of the SSE.
The Spread: Florida State opened as a 19.5 point favorite. The line has taken a slight hit, down to 16.5 to 17.
Game Coverage: Preview & Nolecast, Opponent Q & A, Staff Predictions, Fisher: Golson Will Likely Start, FSU Offensive Line and Penalties
The good news for Florida State is that it is considerably better at scoring points at home. The young offense manages to put up decent drives for a couple quarters a game in the friendly confines of Doak. The bad news for the 'Noles, Dalvin Cook is out for the game. Other players will need to replace the star running back's production. The defense did about as expected last week, for most of the game. Thankfully, FSU's defense will be seeing a much more conventional offense. They will need to have an outstanding game as the offense searches for consistency without Cook. Goals: Shake off last week, play fundamentally sound, lean on the defense, protect the ball, win/survive.
Syracuse at Florida State Game Thread
Other Games:
Your afternoon games start with Georgia vs Florida in Jacksonville. Florida is a 2 point favorite, so flip a coin. Would Will Grier have made enough of a difference for UF to have beaten LSU? Perhaps. But Treon Harris did play decent, keeping plays alive with his feet. Georgia, a preseason favorite, has had the wind knocked out of them mid season, including the loss of Nick Chubb for the year due to injury. Georgia is out of the rankings with no chance of reaching the playoffs. For Florida, a loss would likely put them in the same spot. A Gator win would put them in great position to represent the East in the SEC Championship.
Al Golden's Miami plane was already crashing, but Clemson took all the parachutes and set them on fire. Will Clemson show the same dominance against the Wolfpack with the 'Noles on deck? NC State is a 10 point dog at home. The Tigers are the class of the ACC right now. Even if they sleepwalk through this game, they should win. That would set them up with a division clenching opportunity next week against Florida State.
The best night game is number 9 Notre Dame at 22...Temple? Yep, the Owls are a perfect 7-0 and earned a visitfrom ESPN's Gameday. Their two best wins are likely Penn State and ECU. Notre Dame, with a 6-1 record, is the 10.5 point favorite. If Notre Dame wants to keep any hope of a playoff shot alive, they'll need to escape the mighty Owls with a win.
For the rest of the games, you are on your own. Navigate the games wisely, making sure that you find the most entertainment worthy games in progress. Maybe Stanford struggles a bit with Washington State on the road, or maybe it's 30-0 at half. We know Al Golden is gone at Miami, but Brad Kaaya is also out for the 'Cane's trip to Duke. The Coastal is looking like a UNC/Duke showdown. In Football. Next Week: FSU/Clemson, Duke/UNC, TCU/OKST, LSU/Bama.
Did Florida State's loss give you the blues? Cheer up and BET ALL THE MONEY because mad betting is typically the safest betting. Still, make sure your irrational rage picks are as informed as possible.
Playoffs? PLAYOFFS? Sure, with only one loss, there are scenarios that have Florida State making the final top 4 teams. But FSU will need a BUNCH of things to go right to help the cause.
