FSU FOOTBALL
Florida State football will be taking on the Pittsburgh Panthers at noon EST in the friendly confines of Doak Campbell Stadium on ESPN. The Seminoles are coming off two straight losses to Virginia and Miami, and need to get back on the right track.
Florida State was riding high after its season-opening victory over Alabama, which gave everyone the impression that the Seminoles could be a national championship contender (they still can be). It is a minor setback for a major comeback.
ANALYSIS
The contest against Miami was a disaster in the first three quarters, but the Seminoles fought back and made it more interesting than it really was. However, this is Florida State, and there are no moral victories here with this football program.
Pittsburgh will have true freshman quarterback Mason Heinschel potentially make his second career start after his stellar performance against Boston College, where he completed 30 of his 41 passes for 323 passing yards with four touchdowns as they cruised to a 48-7 victory.
The good news for Florida State is that Boston College is likely the worst team in the conference, and the youngster will be dealing with a road environment this time around. This is a defense that wants to get the bad taste out of its mouth after the showing of Carson Beck, Malachi Toney, and CJ Daniels on the defense.
SCORE PREDICTION
Pittsburgh's defense ranks in the top five of the country in the fewest rushing yards allowed, as well as tackles for loss. That spells doom for a Florida State offense that wants to establish the running game.
However, quarterback Thomas Castellanos seems to be motivated to correct his wrongdoings from the last game and avoid playing "hero ball" and just be himself. Unfortunately, I wanted to barf last week as I was the only one who picked Miami to win the game, but it was a spot that I didn't know the Seminoles would be prepared for.
This Pittsburgh game is likely one of the most important games of the 2025 season for the Florida State Seminoles, and they have to get this. Fire up the war chant. Give me the Seminoles by two possessions!
Taylor Devers: 27-17 FSU
Kelvin Hunt: 30-23 FSU
Griffin Durden: 38-21 FSU
Nick Andre: 33-17 FSU