If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. The Florida State Seminoles head up to New York for a game against the Syracuse Orange, who are missing their starting quarterback Eric Dungey due to injury.
Dino Babers has injected energy into an often forgotten program, and has the offense showing signs of life that few thought possible. It remains a steep task to upset a Florida State team that is looking for one of its players — running back Dalvin Cook — to assume his place at the top of the school’s record books.
Such a demand is especially tough when it is your first year as a head coach. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Syracuse. But much like the original Syracuse in Sicily, it was eventually besieged by an invading force and toppled. An inspired Florida State team looks to gain its eighth win and keep momentum into a rivalry game against Florida.
The Daily Nole once again brought readers fresh content this week with our multitude of stories. Editor Mike Ferguson brought the first look at Syracuse, updated FSU bowl projections, and looked into the difference between the first and the second halves for Florida State on defense. Staff writer Clint Eiland was busy this week with FSU basketball, but he still gave fans a preview of Saturday’s contest.
In addition to those two, digital content manager Edwin Collins, recruiting analyst Jay Brading and contributors T.J. Pittinger and Robert Blackburn make their predictions:
Clint: FSU wins 35-21. Syracuse needs to win this one to keep bowl hopes alive, so it’ll come out with a fire and hit FSU early. The game will likely be a shootout in the first half, with Dalvin Cook eclipsing 100 yards before the break. But Florida State’s talent advantage and second half adjustments will allow the Seminoles to separate from the Orange and enter the fourth quarter up by three scores. Head coach Jimbo Fisher plays it safe and gets his players ready for next week’s game against the Florida Gators.
Mike: Against a ranked team and in front of its home crowd, Syracuse will play inspired early, but with starting quarterback Eric Dungey out, the Orange are in for a long day. Syracuse has neither the ground game nor offensive line to significantly help quarterback Zack Mahoney. The Orange have also been particularly bad on defense. Noles roll in upstate New York, 41-17.
Edwin: Florida State romps, 48-10.
Jay: Assuming Eric Dungey doesn’t play, I like the Seminoles to win big, 38-7. If Dungey plays, it’ll be closer, but still not close, 38-17.
Robert: 34-17, FSU. Even with Eric Dungey sidelined, ‘Cuse will move the ball through the air as much as possible. Syracuse has a good receiving corps with big play potential, but the Florida State defense has played well of late and with a backup quarterback, I think they can create some key turnovers. Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden leaves the Carrier Dome with two interceptions.
TJ: FSU gets an extra day of rest and it shows. Dalvin Cook runs past Warrick Dunn and the Noles run past ‘Cuse. Final Score: FSU 41, Cuse 13.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login