ISD Game Predictions: Florida State
It’s Friday, and that means game prediction time once again. The Irish are hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive with a big win at home on Saturday night, while the Seminoles are just trying to find a way to win. FSU is certainly struggling to score points, but they do have talent on their roster. Will the ‘Noles rise to the occasion, or Notre Dame roll to their seventh straight win?
Mike Frank
The game shouldn’t be close, and I don’t expect it to be. I know the Seminoles have talent, especially along their defensive line, but I just don’t see an offense that came move the ball against this stingy Irish defense.
I think we see Notre Dame’s offense take another step forward on Saturday in the passing game with some more big plays. Jeremiyah Love will have another big game with over 100 yards rushing and two scores on the ground. The Irish start early, and the second string gets into the game late.
Notre Dame 44, Florida State 6
Matt Freeman
Notre Dame’s new look offensive line makes the difference as the Irish play bully ball. FSU has no answer for smashmouth football in the cold as Notre Dame runs for over 400 yards on the night. The Noles don’t have a quarterback, and that’s a problem.
Notre Dame 44, Florida State 9
Greg Flammang
Good call on the night game, eh NBC! Whoever had Florida State being the worst team on Notre Dame’s schedule wins the pool and all the prizes. What a collapse from a near playoff team from just a season ago. They can’t play offense, they can play some defense, but that’s usually mitigated by the inability to play offense, and the results are very ugly.
Notre Dame ought to roll in this game coming off the bye, with the running game clicking and several big plays on the ground. It would be very encouraging to see continued growth from the passing game, and a resurgence from Mitchell Evans would be welcome against any team.
Notre Dame rolls.
Notre Dame 49, Florida State 7
Jamie Uyeyama
A talented, but underachieving team is a dangerous team. Calling this FSU team underachieving is being way too generous, though.
This team is bad. They have been horrific on offense, and extremely disappointing on defense. They may produce some explosive plays simply because of the athletes they have, but I don't see them doing much more than that on offense against this Notre Dame defense.
Notre Dame's offense should come out strong after the bye week as well. I think we'll see a big day running the football and another efficient day from Riley Leonard as the Irish win comfortably.
Notre Dame 42 Florida State 6
Christian McCollum
This one is closer than the final score indicates, and way too close for comfort for Irish fans.
It's not put away until an interception by Xavier Watts and a touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love late in the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame doesn't play bad as much as the Seminoles play with an intensity and crispness they haven't displayed all season. Florida State hits on a couple well-designed game plan plays as well as multiple explosives to hang in the game throughout.
Riley Leonard has an up-and-down day, but there are more ups than downs.
The Irish simply can't create any meaningful distance until late, but in the end, they do just that to earn the victory.
Notre Dame 31, Florida State 17