The Seminoles are currently 3-2 heading into another pivotal game against the likes of the Louisville Cardinals. Florida State needed a big win badly last week, and the team certainly delivered against a very experienced Virginia team. Another strong win this week would help Florida State build momentum before heading into perhaps the most difficult game of the season in Week 7 against the Miami Hurricanes.
Coach Mike Norvell entered the season needing a hot start to instill more confidence in his abilities, but he is currently closer to receiving a payday courtesy of his buyout than remaining in Tallahassee beyond the 2026 season. A win is certainly needed for Florida State in Week 6, even if a more positive record in 2026 cannot save Norvell's job.
With a big contest on the line last week, we predicted Ashton Daniels would rush for over 100 yards, Jayvan Boggs would score a long-range touchdown, and Beau Pribula would break 350 passing yards. Daniels was able to meet and exceed the prediction, but the other two predictions did not come to fruition.
Here is another set of bold predictions for the upcoming game against the Louisville Cardinals in Week 6.
1. Ashton Daniels runs in two touchdowns after breaking the Seminoles' record
For the first prediction, going back to the well seems appropriate since Florida State will be leaning upon quarterback Ashton Daniels against Louisville. Daniels rushed for 136 yards and a program record five touchdowns a week ago against Virginia. It was by far his best performance of the season for Florida State, and more of that success is needed.
NC State managed to defeat Louisville in Week 5 behind a big passing performance from CJ Bailey, crossing the 300-yard threshold easily. The problem for the Seminoles is that Daniels has not been able to pass effectively without making mistakes. Daniels passed for 377 yards against Alabama, but also threw three interceptions.
Daniels can certainly move the ball down the field with his arm, but Louisville is losing games when teams can create balance. The Seminoles need to get the run game going against the Cardinals, and handing the ball off to the hot hand in Daniels is a logical move. After a five-touchdown game, predicting one score on the ground seems too easy, so the prediction this week sees Daniels stepping into the endzone twice.
2. Duce Robinson records 100+ receiving yards and a touchdown
Each game this season for Florida State has been defined on offense by the performance of different players. Ousmane Kromah carried the offense with 116 yards and a touchdown against SMU, Duce Robinson hauled in 135 receiving yards against Alabama, and Ashton Daniels dropped five rushing touchdowns against Virginia.
The Seminoles could continue to go through a rotation of the three leading the offense, and the next person due up would be Robinson. Since his huge performance against Alabama, Robinson has recorded just four receptions in the last two games. That could certainly change against a team like Louisville, who have struggled with defending against physical receivers.
The Cardinals have been in serious trouble on defense this year, allowing 266.8 passing yards per game through five games. Even with a game plan from Florida State that is likely predicated on the run, there will be openings through the air early.
Robinson could certainly find a way through the defense for his third touchdown of the season, and dropping 100 receiving yards in the process is definitely possible. Robinson is due for another big game, and the Cardinals are the perfect opponent to do so against.
3. Mandrell Desir records a multi-sack game to continue his streak
After receiving a raise heading into the season and starting the year off on the wrong foot, Mandrell Desir did not have a pleasant start to the season. A sack against Central Arkansas helped build some momentum before Desir got in on the action against Virginia. Seemingly, everyone on the Florida State defense landed a sack against the Cavaliers, and Week 6 offers Desir a chance to truly stand out.
Desir has recorded a sack in each of the last two games, and Louisville could be the perfect opportunity for him to take the next step. The Cardinals have multiple injury concerns along the offensive line, and pressure is what forced three sacks and three turnovers in the Week 5 game against NC State.
Desir has a sack streak to uphold, and Louisville has struggled with limiting pressure. The recipe for a big game is certainly there for the talented defensive lineman. Mark him down for two sacks against Louisville to keep the streak alive.
Sack production is going to be the key to stopping Lincoln Kienholz for Florida State due to one curious stat. Kienholz has been sacked 10 times this season, and all of the sacks have occurred in losses.
Louisville is a shoot-out type of team that needs to score more at an elevated rate to make up for the problems with the defense. Key stops and important things like sacks and tackles for loss are going to be far more vital since the Cardinals rarely beat themselves on offense.
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