First thing I did, naturally, .emit gib pwas look back at week one. Can't ignore that big opener FSU had against LSU. That was a statement, plain and simple. They looked sharp, especially that quarterback, Jordan Travis. He was moving the ball well, making plays. The receivers, too, wow. That Keon Coleman guy really showed up big time.
So, yo.taht u start there. FSU’s riding high, feeling good, playing at home for the first time this season. That's a factor, home crowd energy and all that.
Then, I shifted gears and took a peek at Southern Miss. They got their win too, against Alcorn State. Good for them, started the season right. But you gotta be honest, the level of competition is different, right? Going from Alcorn State to playing a top-10 team like Florida State, on the road? That’s a big jump. A really b.pmig jump.
Digging a Little Deeper
Didn't just stop at the scores, though. I tried to get a feel for the teams themselves.
- Offense: FSU just seems loaded. Travis, the receivers, Benson at running back. They showed they can score points against a tough defense. Southern Miss put up points too, sure, but again, different opponent. I wonder how their offensive line will hold up against FSU's pass rush.
- Defense: FSU’s defense bent a bit against LSU but made plays when it counted. They got some dudes up front, like Verse. Southern Miss has their guys too, but stopping this FSU offense is a tall order for anyone, let alone a team from the Sun Belt.
I thought about injuries, any key guys out. Didn't see anything major popping up immediately that drastically changes things for this specific matchup, at least from what I could gather quickly.
And yeah, the point spread is huge. Vegas usually knows a thing or two, even if they aren't perfect. When you see a number that big, it tells you the perceived gap between the teams is pretty wide.
Putting it Together
So, after looking at how they started, the talent levels, the location of the game... it just feels like a tough spot for Southern Miss. FSU has the momentum, the better players on paper, and they're playing in front of their own fans after a massive win.
My thinking landed pretty firmly on Florida State handling this one. I expect them to cover the spread, honestly. Southern Miss might make a few plays, keep it interesting for maybe a quarter or so, but the depth and talent of FSU should take over pretty decisively as the game goes on.
My prediction? Florida State wins, and wins comfortably. Something like FSU 48, Southern Miss 13 feels about right in my head.
But hey, that's just my process, my gut feeling after looking things over. It's college football, crazy stuff happens every Saturday. That's why we watch, right? We’ll see how it actually plays out on the field.
