News Summary
The Florida State University Seminoles seek to recover from two consecutive losses as they face the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Ranked 25th nationally with a record of 3-2, the Seminoles are favorites against the equally matched Panthers. Florida State’s recent struggles highlight defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent performances, particularly following a narrow defeat to the University of Miami. As they prepare for the matchup, the Seminoles aim to tighten their defense to avoid a third straight loss and earn their first ACC Conference win in over a year.
Tallahassee, Florida
The Florida State Seminoles will look to bounce back from consecutive losses when they take on the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, October 11. The Seminoles, currently 3-2 and ranked 25th in the nation, are 10.5-point favorites over the Panthers, who are also 3-2 with a 1-1 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Florida State’s recent performance has been shaky, with a 28-22 defeat against in-state rival University of Miami on October 3. The Seminoles found themselves trailing by 25 points in the fourth quarter before making a late-game push. However, their struggles were underscored by a total of six turnovers in their last two games, including another loss to No. 19 Virginia.
Offensive Strategy and Defensive Concerns
Under the guidance of first-year offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Florida State employs a run-first, up-tempo style, with transfer senior quarterback Thomas Castellanos occupying the command position. This season, the Seminoles have ranked second nationally in rushing, averaging 295.4 yards per game. Junior running back Gavin Sawchuk and true first-year running back Ousmane Kromah have made significant contributions, averaging 5.3 and 5.8 yards per carry, respectively, although both struggled in their last outing against Miami.
On the defensive side, first-year defensive coordinator Tony White leads a unit that has shifted focus towards run defense, but has seen issues arise, particularly with cornerback Jeremiah “Jerry” Wilson, who has allowed long passing plays. Due to injuries in the secondary, true first-year cornerback Shamar Arnoux has been appointed as co-starter at field safety.
Pittsburgh’s Recent Performance
The Pittsburgh Panthers enter the matchup after a significant 48-7 victory over Boston College, where true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel excelled, throwing for four touchdowns and 323 yards. The Panthers have shown a strong offensive performance this season, ranking 15th in the nation for passing offense and averaging 41 points per game.
In contrast, Florida State’s defense currently ranks 27th in total defense and 30th in rushing defense, allowing an average of 109 rushing yards per game. The Seminoles will need to tighten their defense against a potent Panthers offense if they hope to avoid a third consecutive loss.
Recent History and Stakes
The Seminoles will draw confidence from their last encounter with the Panthers, having defeated Pittsburgh 24-7 in 2023. A victory in this upcoming game will hold critical implications for Florida State, as it offers them a chance to claim their first ACC Conference football win in over a year.
Kickoff for the highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for high noon ET, and fans can catch the action live on ESPN.
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Additional Resources
- Tomahawk Nation: FSU vs. Pitt Predictions
- CBS Sports: FSU vs. Pittsburgh Preview
- 247 Sports: FSU Availability Report
- AZ Central: Picks and Predictions for FSU vs. Pitt
- Sports Illustrated: Pittsburgh’s Defense vs. FSU
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
