FSU vs. Notre Dame Predictions: ChopChat Staff Weighs In
By David Visser
FSU vs. Notre Dame Predictions: ChopChat Staff Weighs In features not only each ChopChat writer’s score predictions on Saturday’s primetime showdown, but also a brief explanation of how each columnist thinks the game will play out.
The Irish are here, as are the Goodyear blimp, ABC, and ESPN College GameDay. The eyes of the college football world are focused squarely on Tallahassee this weekend, as the reigning national champs and current No. 2 Florida State Seminoles prepare to play host to the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
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This battle of unbeatens kicks off tomorrow night a little after 8:20 pm, and after a week speaking with players and coaches, evaluating film, and observing the ‘Noles at practice, our editors and contributing writers are prepared to make their picks for the big game. They are as follows:
Patrik Nohe, Editor
This is the game that will tell everyone what kind of team FSU is going to be remembered as in 2014. If the Seminoles can put it all together on Saturday they have the talent to win handily against Notre Dame. If they don’t, the Irish will hang around and have a shot to beat them at the end of the night. FSU’s offense will be on point on Saturday night, Jameis Winston has historically risen to the occasion and I don’t think this weekend will be any different. What concerns me is the defense. So far this year the FSU D has had issues with eye discipline and gap control. If those persist, Everett Golson is going to have a big night. It all depends on FSU and how they show up on Saturday.
Pick: 31-30, FSU
David Visser, Editor
Florida State has had its defensive issues, surely, but getting Matthew Thomas back for this one will be huge. He’s been practicing with the ones and twos the last few weeks for good reason: Everett Golson. Thomas is the FSU’s most athletic linebacker, and he could play a big part in containing the slippery Golson. If the DL can maintain gap responsibility (a big “if,” granted), the defense should generate some turnovers. Defensively, the Irish want to blitz Winston. This has not worked well for teams in the past, and the ND secondary is beyond suspect. Winston rolls, and the Seminoles pull away in the second half.
Pick: 43-27, FSU
Daniel Ferreira, Contributing Writer
Ever since last week’s game against Syracuse, I’ve been telling myself that I would pick Notre Dame to win. I’m just not sold on Florida State’s defense right now, and I think the offense is making too many mistakes to overcome a bad defensive performance. But after watching Jimbo Fisher’s press conference Monday, I’ve decided that the Noles are going to pull this one out. It was clear that Jimbo was angry, and I think that carries over to the team. It’s going to be a tough, hard-fought game. I think Matthew Thomas will force a critical turnover and Jameis Winston will have a field day.
Pick: 41-34, FSU
Harlen Shackleford, Contributing Writer
When times get tough, families come together. Expect FSU’s play on the field this weekend to reflect that. From conductions of kangaroo courts to the spewing of guilt-assuming statements made by those in the national media, the Florida State Seminoles have a lot of bulletin board material. One could almost feel sympathy for Notre Dame this week as they will be the punching bag on which the ‘Noles take out their frustrations.
Pick: 41-30, FSU
Griffin Wilcox, Contributing Writer
After an impressive offensive performance a week ago, and an impressive defensive performance 2 weeks ago vs. Wake Forest, the question everyone is asking is when is Florida State going to put it all together? The Seminoles shined in their primetime top-5 match up vs. Clemson, so maybe, just maybe, this is the game they do it. Notre Dame gave up 43 points to a decent North Carolina offense a week ago; expect the Seminoles to score pretty close to that, if not more. I think the intensity of this one is going to be a huge factor, and FSU has the experience to deal with high-intensity games. The crowd will be wild, the ‘Noles will pick off Golson twice; I’ve got FSU big.
Pick: 48-28, FSU