It’s Friday Night Lights season, and what better way to celebrate the start of the weekend then watching a good old ACC battle between Louisville and Florida State. The Seminoles are playing for the first time since their dramatic, last-second 24-23 win against LSU on Sept. 4, while the Cardinals return home after rallying to beat Central Florida last Friday night 20-14.
In a battle of two stud quarterbacks, Florida State aims to break a two-game losing streak against Louisville, while the Cardinals look to get back on track in conference ball after getting embarrassed by Syracuse in Week 1.
The Florida State hype is real right now, and many think the Seminoles are starting to turn the proverbial corner in the Mike Norvell era. After taking care of Duquesne in their opener, Florida State really impressed in its last game against LSU, as quarterback Jordan Travis has taken his game to the next level. Always solid and reliable, Travis has completed 65% of his passes for 467 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions this season.
Add that to a rushing attack featuring Treshaun Ward, Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili, and it’s understandable why the fans in Tallahassee are excited about this offense.
After beating LSU in Louisiana, it’s no surprise that the public is all over the Seminoles in this spot, laying only 2.5 points against a shaky Louisville team. It would be a mistake to discredit the Cardinals, however, as they showed a ton of moxie coming back against on the road against Central Florida, and with Malik Cunningham behind center, be prepared to expect the unexpected.
Florida State vs. Louisville Predictions and Betting Picks
Through two games Florida State has looked surprisingly consistent, while Louisville has looked much less so, getting humbled by Syracuse and then struggling offensively despite escaping Central Florida with a win. Getting that win, however, was huge for the Cardinals, and expect them to carry that momentum into what should be a rocking Cardinal Stadium in Louisville on Friday night.
If Cunningham and company play to their ability, it should be a long night for a Florida State defense that currently ranks outside the top 75 in defensive standard downs success rate and passing downs success rate. That is not a good recipe for success against Cunningham, who ran for over 1,100 yards last season and threw for close to 3,000 yards and just six interceptions while scoring 39 total touchdowns.
Is Florida State a Deserving Favorite?
Though the Seminoles have looked like the better team so far, it’s only been two games and it would be a big mistake to undersell Cunningham and the Cardinals here. That said, Florida State is a 2.5-point road favorite for a reason, and after going 5-3 with Travis under center last year, he’s officially Mike Norvell’s guy now and his improvement has been noteworthy. In two games this year, Travis has five big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays, and he’s going to need to be great again facing a Louisville defense that just shut down an electric Central Florida offense in the Bounce House.
Working in Travis’ favor are his two stud wideouts, last year’s leading receiver Ontaria Wilson and Oregon transfer Mycah Pittman. Both are elite targets, and Wilson showed his chemistry with Travis against LSU, catching seven passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive Resurgences?
After potentially overlooking Syracuse and getting demolished by what looks like one of the best rushing attacks in all of college football, Louisville stepped up in a big way last week, led by safety Kendric Duncan, who posted a career-best 13 tackles in the Cardinals victory against Central Florida. Even more impressive, however, was the job Louisville did on Central Florida quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, as he finished the game 16-for-34 for just 131 yards, good for 3.9 yards per attempt.
There is no doubt the Louisville defense definitely made a statement in its win over the Knights, but Florida State did the same in its win against LSU, producing six tackles for loss and four sacks while limiting Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels to just 5.9 yards per attempt. The Seminoles defense looks to have not skipped a beat despite the loss of former ACC Defensive Player of the year Jermaine Johnson. FCS All-American transfer Jared Verse has helped ease the loss of Johnson, as he has immediately played well and looks every bit like the next stud transfer in Tallahassee.
Florida State vs Louisville Prediction
While both defenses have grabbed the headlines with impressive performances in Week 2, this game is all about Cunningham and Travis, and that’s evident with a point total of 57. Travis has the Florida State offense playing well right now, and if Louisville shows up unprepared like the team that played Syracuse in Week 1, it will be a long night for Scott Satterfield’s squad.
After getting that win at Central Florida, however, Louisville should be feeling themselves, and facing a Florida State defense that ranks outside the top 90 in passing success rate and points per pass attempt allowed, Cunningham is in a great spot to have a massive game. After allowing 114 yards at over 7 yards per carry against Jayden Daniels and LSU, one can only imagine what Cunningham and Louisville are going to do.
It is a really close call, but Louisville is the side here. Cunningham is the best player in this game, and after keeping their season alive against Central Florida, it would be surprising to see the Cardinals come out flat tonight.
Best NCAAF Bets: Louisville +3.5 & Louisville moneyline +115
