FSU vs. Chattanooga: Staff predictions

The 'Noles and Mocs will kick off just after 3 pm on Saturday. Here are some of our contributors' picks.

Bud Elliott:

As always, you can find this prediction on the 'Nolecast, along with a more extensive preview of this matchup.

David Visser:

The 2015 FSU football team has revealed itself as a rather selfless group of guys who have bought into doing their respective jobs. Their job on Saturday: send the seniors out in style, and I think the 'Noles get that done against a Mocs team primarily concerned with remaining healthy and getting paid.

Here's to hoping the weather cooperates for a game that should see Dalvin Cook put up impressive numbers before getting some rest. We should see a good amount of the promising youth that bodes so well for Florida State's future, and I think at least one of the as-yet largely unused freshmen finds the end zone. FSU wins, 42-10.

ricobert1:

So. FSU overall plays well at home. And if the defense didn't take last week off, they won't this week. This one heads to garbage-time early. FSU 45, UT-C 13. Dalvin Cook gets 200 and an invite to NYC.

NoleThruandThru:

I would be more worried if FSU were playing Water Moccasins than Mockingbirds. I hate Water Moccasins.

FSU 55

Chattahoochee 13

TimScribble:

At some point early in the game, FSU will struggle. The OL will give up a sack, the RB won't convert a first down or two OLs will run into each other. FSU will end up winning comfortably. I just hope no one gets hurt. George Campbell or Nyqwan Murray will score a TD. Guys in black 45 - Fighting Mocs 14.

PhenomeNoles:

45-10, FSU.

I hope Dalvin gets his 200 in the first half and we can get all of the young guys their reps.

FrankDNole:

The players' emotions will be riding high with it being Senior Day and the realization that it will be the last home game of their college careers for some. Throw in Fisher's rare decision to deviate from the uniform norm, and I'm thinking the players will be distracted, not focused, and over-hyped, and will play sloppy ball for the first quarter, at least.

Once the FSU players understand the Mocs aren't going to genuflect before them, and that they are a talented team that is ranked in the top 10 of the FCS rankings for a reason, I expect they'll realize that they are in a game and start playing seriously. I hope that happens by the 2nd quarter at the latest, so that our talent advantage will allow us to pull away and allow us to get our starters off the field, and let the graduating senior players get some significant playing time. I'm hoping garbage time starts in the third quarter.

FSU 45 - Chattanooga 17

OneBarrelRum:

Really, the only thing to pick in this type of game is if FSU will cover or not. Yes, the Mocs are 8-2. Yeah, maybe they beat some teams like North Texas, or Texas State. But they aren't exactly dominating the FCS either. They have a three-point win over Wofford, a six-pointer over VMI, and a loss to Mercer. The 30ish point-spread seems about right. FSU should cover, but I think a whole bunch of backups are in by the 4th. Mocs might get a garbage TD or FG late. FSU is able to rest starters in the late 3rd, whole 4th quarter. FSU 48 - Chattanooga 17.

Andrew Miller:

FSU: 41 UTC: 21

I think Florida State will be able to gain offensive traction on the Mocs, once again led by Falcon Cool, who should have another monster day. Sean Maguire should have a decent day with a completion percentage in the high 60%'s and throw for 200-250ish yards. Defensively, the 'Noles will hold another opponent to under 25 points, and will allow 14 total points until surrendering a garbage time TD to UTC. Bold predictions of the game: Roberto Aguayo will nail a 50+ yard field goal, and FSU will have an INT returned for a TD.

Curt Weiler:

This will be ugly from the start, as the Seminoles play inspired football to help the seniors tie the FSU record for most wins by a senior class, at 48.

45-10 FSU with 150 yards and two TDs for Dalvin Cook before his fairly early exit.

evenflow58:

This is an interesting game from a coaching perspective. On one hand, UTC can put its name on the map by keeping the game close. On the other, the Mocs have the playoffs coming up and will want to go in healthy. I expect UTC to play its starters through a half and shorten it as much as possible. If things begin to get out of hand, expect Chattanooga to pull the starters and for the bottom to completely fall out. Either way, UTC will surely run plays as slowly as possible, and FSU probably won't move much faster, if recent history is any indication. Ultimately, Florida State will win, but the Mocs might be able to keep things closer than fans will like.

FSU 34 UTC 14

Kyle Griffis:

FSU 41, Chattanooga 10. The 'Noles easily extend their home winning streak to a nation-leading 21 games. The backups allow a late Chattanooga score, but FSU covers. I hope we don't see too much of Dalvin Saturday. Thanks, Seniors.

Matt Minnick:

FSU rolls 44-13 on a beautiful Tallahassee day. NLS gets a Senior Day sack and Elliott gets a Senior Day INT. Cook and company spend the second half planning out what kind of gator bait to put in the traps next week.

Josh Pick:

I'll just give you my best guess here, because who honestly knows how this game will turn out? Hopefully, FSU is able to get a big enough lead early so Dalvin Cook can get some more rest before the big game at The Swamp next weekend. Would be nice to see some of the other reserves in, as well, particularly the WR's, if/when the Noles stretch the lead vs. UTC. The Mocs are a good 1-AA (I don't generally do the whole FCS thing) team, so Florida State shouldn't take them lightly, but Chattanooga is clearly overmatched.

Seminoles win 41-10.

Michael Rogner:

What do games like FSU vs. Chattanooga teach us? They teach us that the college football season is at least one week too long. All these games are good for is injuries and earning money for people who aren't on the field. If I were Dalvin Cook, I'd be sitting on the bench nursing my hammy until the NFL draft. Get rid of crap games like this, use that extra week to add four more teams to the playoff, and America wins. 'Noles, 63-10.