Florida State football vs. Memphis prediction: Can the Seminoles avoid an 0-3 start
Florida State football welcomes Memphis to Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday with a clear agenda.
The Seminoles (0-2) are looking for their first win this season.
After disappointing showings against Georgia Tech and Boston College, FSU had a bye week to reset ahead of Memphis at noon on ESPN. The Tigers (2-0) beat North Alabama 40-0 and Troy 38-17 in their first two games. They feature a high-powered offense that likes to throw the ball deep, but has found success in the ground game, too.
Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell faces his former team in Memphis, where he coached from 2016-2019 and went 38-15.
Tigers head coach, Ryan Silverfield, was part of his staff and nearly followed him to FSU. The two are friends, and the game should provide plenty of fireworks.
Here are the Tallahassee Democrat staff's score predictions for the game.
Do Liam Rooney and Peter Holland Jr. think the Seminoles get a win on the board, or will FSU fall to 0-3?
Liam Rooney's score prediction
Memphis 28, FSU 23: This game has quickly turned into a must-win scenario for the Seminoles as Memphis enters the showdown ranked No. 25 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and just outside of the AP Poll top 25. With a dynamic defense led by linebacker Elijah Herring that thrives on creating confusion with quick, fast paced actions, the Tigers could create problems for FSU. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will need to navigate away from pressure and be smart with the football as the Tigers are ready to pounce on a poorly thrown ball. This will be a better performance from the Seminoles as the defense sharpens up and the offense runs the ball better. However, Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan and running back Mario Anderson Jr. will exploit some of the issues defensively we saw in the first two FSU games of the season, allowing Memphis to walk away with a win.
Peter Holland's score prediction
FSU 34 Memphis 31: This should be the game where FSU outperform the Tigers. Memphis, led by QB Seth Henigan, is explosive and will likely challenge FSU's secondary with its passing attack. The Seminoles should do the same. However, for FSU to win, someone must make a play. Who can DJ Uiagalelei rely on in crucial moments? This game could be the test. I believe the Seminoles will do just enough to take down the Tigers with a game-winning field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald.
How to watch FSU football vs. Memphis
Date: Saturday
Time: Noon
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
TV: ESPN
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal*
Saturday, Sept. 28: at SMU*
Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. No. 14 Clemson*
Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 19 Miami*
Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina*
Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo, Peacock)
Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football vs. Memphis game final score predictions
