The Daily Nole

Unexpected FSU Bye Week 2 Viewing Guide: Electric Boogaloo

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We understand how odd this whole season feels already. It’s like Florida State football is in detention, but has the seat right by the window. They can look out to recess fields and watch all the other teams having fun. Fun that the Seminoles are not able to partake in for another week.

But have no fear…college football is still bringing competitive match-ups and thrilling contests. While last week’s multiple top 25 games won’t be replicated this week, there are still some games every fan should take a look at. We’ve compiled them here for your convenience:

Last week, this TDN writer started out hot, predicting the first five games correctly.

Unfortunately, I pulled a Texas A&M and proceeded to be wrong about the last six. But much like Kevin Sumlin, I still somehow have a job, so we’re back at it with the second set of bye week predictions:

Past Opponents

(1) Alabama vs. Colorado State: The one decent defense that the Rams faced (Colorado) held them to just three points. While that might’ve been a fluke, don’t expect them to keep it close for more than a quarter. Crimson Tide by 35. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. EST.

Future Opponents

N.C. State vs. Furman: I feel the need to point out that in last week’s bye week viewing guide, I said “N.C. State still has an overwhelming talent advantage against Marshall…It will still probably be closer than it should be. Wolfpack by 17.” NC State then proceeded to play a tight contest against the Thundering Herd before closing it out, 37-20. Bragging aside, the talent advantage in that game might actually be smaller than the talent advantage in this one. Wolfpack by 24. This game will be broadcast on the ACC Network at 12:20 p.m. EST.

Duke vs. Baylor: The Blue Devils might actually be better than previously thought. They marched into Northwestern and dismantled the Wildcats last week, 41-17. Quarterback Daniel Jones was his usual impressive self, combining for 413 yards and four total touchdowns. While the defense might still be questionable, it seems that head coach David Cutcliffe has created yet another good offense. Compare this to Baylor, who is 0-2 on the season after losing games to Liberty and UTSA. Expect Duke to overload the scoreboard in this one. Blue Devils by 35. This game will be broadcast on the ACC Network at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Wake Forest vs. Utah State: Has Dave Clawson finally figured out the keys to a good offense? Wake Forest dropped 34 on Boston College last week, which might not be that impressive, but it is certainly an improvement from the past few years. That offense is going to be tested against a Utah State team that hung tough with Wisconsin in the first half of the season opener. Wake Forest doesn’t have the offensive pedigree that the Badgers do, so this game might actually be a closer contest than it appears. In the end however, the Wake Forest defense will stifle the Aggies and give the Deacons a 3-0 record. Demon Deacons by 17. This game will be broadcast on the ACC Network at 3 p.m. EST.

(24) Florida vs. (23) Tennessee: I’ll be completely honest with this one. I am horrendously biased in favor of Tennessee. I had a rough childhood growing up as a Volunteer fan…the first game against the Gators that I vividly remember is the 2004 contest where James Wilhoit hit a 50-yard field goal for the win. Tennessee then proceeded to lose the next 11 iterations of the rivalry before breaking the streak last year. Neither of these teams looked impressive in the first few games. It will ultimately come down to Florida’s completely stoppable offense meeting Tennessee’s completely movable defense. Will the Gators be rusty after a 2-week break? Will Tennessee break out any new looks to try and confuse Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks? There’s so much up in the air with this one that it’s probably better to just take the home team. Gators by 3. This game will be broadcast on CBS at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Syracuse vs. Central Michigan: One of the more under-the-radar upsets was Middle Tennessee State over Syracuse. A lackluster offense combined with a defense meant that the Orange would undergo yet another reevaluation of their expectations for the season. Getting to a bowl game is not guaranteed. It’ll be even more difficult against a Central Michigan team whose offense seems prime to take advantage of the Syracuse weaknesses. Picking the Chippewas does seem very enticing. But ultimately I’ll choose Syracuse to make the necessary adjustments and bounce back in a high-scoring affair. Orange by 10. This game will be broadcast on the ACC Network at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Boston College vs. Notre Dame: Watching Georgia storm into South Bend and beat Notre Dame was a pretty eye-opening experience. It is now painfully clear that head coach Brian Kelly is on the hot seat. Losing a close home game to a Georgia team without its starting quarterback is fairly inexcusable. That being said, the Irish have an opportunity to get on the right track versus Boston College this week. The Eagles are once again struggling to put points on the board, and their defense isn’t good enough to make up for it. Fighting Irish by 14. This game will be broadcast on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. EST.

(3) Clemson at (14) Louisville: One of the best games from last season returns with the Clemson-Louisville match-up. Yet not many things have changed. The biggest difference is the Clemson offense. Kelly Bryant is good, but still lacks the passing threat that could turn the offense into a real juggernaut. The Tigers’ defense remains fantastic though. They shut down Gus Malzahn and his Auburn offense with relative ease last week. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is still Lamar Jackson, and he looks prime to once again be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Will his production be enough to cover up a lackluster Cardinals’ defense? Just like last year, probably not. Tigers by 10. This game will be broadcast on ABC at 8 p.m. EST.

Delaware State at West Virginia: It won’t be close. Mountaineers by 45. This game apparently won’t even be broadcast.

Top 25 Match-ups

The only top 25 matchups involve FSU opponents.

Upset of the Week

(25) UCLA at Memphis: It’s interesting to consider how different the view of UCLA would be if it had actually lost to Texas A&M. Everyone knows that quarterback Josh Rosen is great, but it’s still a Jim Mora coached team. The defense has been very shaky over the first two games, and the team still has no identity. Memphis only played one game due to a Hurricane Irma cancellation, but showed serious offensive promise in that one victory. This could be the shootout of the week. Tigers by 7. This game will be broadcast on ABC at 12 p.m. EST.

Other FSU Sports

Florida State women’s soccer plays North Carolina on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST.

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