Notre Dame heads into November as the #10 team in the country, with aspirations of a playoff birth. With nothing to lose, Florida State may have other plans for the Irish.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
It's widely known that Notre Dame has no room for error if they want to find themselves as participants in the newly expanded College Football Playoff come this December. With the loss to NIU, there are even concerns about whether the Irish can get in, even with one loss, if there are not enough losses distributed amongst the other teams in the race.
Florida State makes their first trip back to South Bend since 2018, where they were humbled 42-13 by a green jersey-wearing, Dexter Williams running, Ian Book throwing Notre Dame team that would go on to finish that 2018 regular season as an undefeated group who would make their first-ever College Football Playoff. The Seminoles finished 2018 at 5-7, but with a 1-8 record with three more games to go for their season (Since they are not able to play in a bowl game due to their record), Mike Norvell and his team are looking to salvage as much as they can as they seemingly head for a long rebuild ahead of them.
Use code IRISH20 for 20% off and help support our independent journalism here
Florida State has taken quite a fall from grace after finishing the 2023 regular season undefeated, squeezed by Louisville in the ACC Conference Championship, but ultimately getting embarrassed in the Orange Bowl against Georgia 63-3. Many would argue that the Seminoles were snubbed from the College Football Playoff that year. However, the injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis seemingly put the nail in the coffin for FSU's playoff chances, even though they finished undefeated.
Believe it or not, Mike Norvell is not on the hot seat according to fellow outlet Athlon Sports, despite only having one singular win on the season up to this point, so it seems Norvell and his team are looking to create some chaos, and what better situation is there to do that than to play Notre Dame under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium, with the Irish needing to be perfect to make the playoffs. Our staff give their insight and analysis below.
Clayton Stohler - First & Gold Podcast Co-Host
Score Prediction: 59-7 Notre Dame
FSU’s offense puts forth yet another pitiful performance against perhaps the best defense in the country. The Seminoles try everything they can to spoil the party, but by the third quarter, it’ll be made abundantly clear- not that FSU is simply bad, but that ND may very well be a team capable of inflicting major damage against anybody. Jordan Faison with the breakout performance of the season within the WR room, Riley Leonard continues to take command, and the offensive line of ND imposes its will. Easy night in South Bend.
Connor Regan - Long-Form Writer
Score Prediction: 45-9 Notre Dame
The Irish continue their elite defensive form and ground game, while Leonard and Denbrock progress the passing game bit by bit. The Irish use FSU to work out their offensive kinks before the stakes increase in the playoff. This should be a very one-sided contest that is decided by halftime. Look for the Irish to sell out in pursuit of CFP-style points and work in their young guys early to gain some experience. Irish extend their win streak to 7.
Noah Wehby - Writer
Score Prediction: 45-6 Notre Dame
Notre Dame's offense has continued to find ways to put up points and it won’t stop on Friday. With Notre Dame’s talented running back room and FSU’s weak run defense, expect Notre Dame to do a lot of damage on the ground. This will open up the passing game and give Notre Dame chances to move the ball downfield. On defense, FSU has little to threaten a stout Notre Dame defense. The Irish will keep the Seminoles out of the end zone and cause a couple of takeaways, all en route to a huge blowout.
Jhett Garrett - Writer
Score Prediction: 45-10 Notre Dame
Florida State has not only been bad, they’ve been atrocious. They travel to South Bend on a five-game losing streak with no hope for that to end anytime soon. These two teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum right now, with Notre Dame coming in scorching hot on a six-game win streak. The number ten team in the country has one of the best defenses in the entire nation, giving up just 12.1 points per game. Florida State comes into the matchup averaging just 14 points per game, however, I have them getting to 10 with a garbage-time touchdown late. This game will be over in the first quarter and Notre Dame will easily cruise to 8-1.
Max Uretsky - Analyst
Score Prediciton: 44-9 Notre Dame
It's not an overstatement to say Florida State has been one of the worst offenses in the country. The run game hasn't come close to finding its footing and they have also given up 30 sacks. I would be surprised if they found the endzone against a very good Irish defense. On the other side of the ball, FSU has given up over 250 yards rushing three times and over 200 yards a total of five times, and will now be tasked with stopping one of the better running back groups in college football. FSU does roster some talented, physical DBs, so Riley Leonard will need to be smart with the ball and continue to build off recent performances. As it has been for most of the year, defense and the running game lead the way for Notre Dame and keep them squarely in the playoff picture.
Liam Farrell - Associate Editor & Senior Football Writer
Score Prediciton: 49-10 Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s defense gets a turnover early and hangs a two-score lead over the Seminoles.
Florida State loses their competitive drive early in this game and the Irish get whatever they want on the offensive side of the ball.
The Notre Dame defense will continue to force turnovers and win the turnover margin in this game by two.
On offense, Denbrock continues to build Leonard’s confidence and doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Jeremiyah Love continues his touchdown streak and the Irish passing game will have a touchdown of 35+ yards.
Like our content? Here's 20% off (IRISH20) and help support what we do here
Brenden Duffy - Associate Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Score Prediction: 49-0 Notre Dame
Why not? I trust the Irish have officially learned their lesson of not overlooking opponents. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this is the worst team ND will face all year.
Offensively, I expect the Irish to have their way via the run game featuring Love, Price, and Leonard. Passing-wise, I think Leonard starts slow but finds a rhythm sooner rather than later. FSU’s secondary is okay but nothing to write home about.
Defensively, the Irish really should dominate this FSU offense in all categories. Their young quarterbacks have struggled against weaker competition and have yet to play on a stage as large as Notre Dame Stadium at night. I think one key for the Notre Dame defense will be limiting FSU RB Lawrance Toafili. He is a capable rusher who excels as a short-game receiving option. If Toafili does not get going, I do not see how FSU will be able to move the ball consistently with success.
Bruce Straughan - Recruiting Writer
Score Prediction: 35-14 Notre Dame
Don’t let this Florida State team fool you, they’re still Florida State and have major talent throughout their roster. This team cannot be overlooked. A team with nothing to lose is always a scary opponent. I believe that NIU was a major lesson learned and Freeman will have this team ready to compete. Notre Dame’s defense will be too much for this team to handle.
Brady Burden - Social Media Intern
Score Prediction: 45-10 Notre Dame
FSU offense continues to lack any sort of connection with each other. They go all out and try trick plays early but nothing seems to work at all. Props to the Irish defense though, as they don’t give up any scores until the 3rd quarter. Riley Leonard continues his elite performance in the passing game and the WRs show their full potential. Kris Mitchell has his best game so far in an Irish uniform. The running backs display their depth also, as they have 3 different RBs score on the night. Should have no issues with the Seminoles tonight.
Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun
Comments