Louisville at Florida State NCAA Football Game Picks 9/21/2019

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Doak Campbell Stadium

James Blackman and the Florida State Seminoles host the Louisville Cardinals at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, September 21, 2019. The odds on this matchup have Florida State as 8.5-point favorites. The total has been set at 60. The Cardinals are 3-0-0 ATS and 1-2-0 when betting on the total. The Seminoles are 3-0-0 when wagering on the over/under and 0-2-1 against the spread.

Key Louisville Cardinals Injuries

09/15/19 QB Jawon Pass Foot is questionable Saturday vs Florida State
08/06/19 S TreSean Smith Suspension is out indefinitely

Key Florida State Seminoles Injuries

09/15/19 RB Anthony Grant Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Louisville
09/15/19 WR D.J. Matthews Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Louisville
09/15/19 OL Jauan Williams Disciplinary is questionable Saturday vs Louisville
09/15/19 DE Joshua Kaindoh Leg injured last game, is doubtful Saturday vs Louisville
09/13/19 P Logan Tyler Suspension is out indefinitely

The last time they played, the Louisville Cardinals faced the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and ended up getting the victory by a score of 38-21. Running the show from under center for the Cardinals was Malik Cunningham who went 8/13 with 119 yards through the air and threw 2 touchdowns. He finished this contest without throwing a pick. Javian Hawkins paced the team on the ground for that game. He tore off a long run of 20 yards and he ran for 1 TD for the game. He rushed for a total of 93 yards via 19 carries which meant he averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Tutu Atwell was the leader in receiving yardage by earning 141 yards on 4 catches. He averaged 35.3 yards per reception for that game. The Louisville Cardinals rushed the ball a total of 51 times and added 210 yards which gave them an average of 4.1 yards per rush. In all, they finished with a total of 67 plays which gave them a total of 415 yards. For the game, the Cardinals totaled 21 1st downs and they totaled 6 penalties for 69 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, Louisville allowed 25 completions on 47 attempts for a total of 245 yards, and a completion percentage of 53.2%. For the game, they conceded a total of 288 yards and forced 2 takeaways. In the running game, the Cardinals allowed 43 yards on 23 attempts allowing their opponent an average of 1.9 yards per carry allowed.

The Cardinals step onto the field holding a record of 2-1 for this year. For total yards, they rank 6th in the conference and 34th in D-1 with 1,349 yards. They are one of the most potent offenses in the country with an average of 32.3 points per contest, ranking them 57th in D-1. As a unit, they are averaging 263.3 rushing yards per contest which is 1st in the ACC. The Cardinals have one of the best defenses in the nation, allowing 18.7 points per contest which has them at 5th in the conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Cardinals have allowed 559 yards. Opponents are completing 55.8% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. In terms of yards rushing, Louisville is allowing 134.3 yards per game ranking them 7th in the ACC and 62nd in college football. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.7 yards per rush which has them at 6th in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 55th in the country overall. Overall, they have conceded 403 yards rushing through 3 contests.

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In their last outing, the Florida State Seminoles took on the Virginia Cavaliers and were defeated 31-24. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Seminoles was James Blackman who went 22/37 with 234 yards through the air and completed 3 touchdowns. He ended the game without an interception. Cam Akers paced the team on the ground in the game. He had a long run of 17 yards but he wasn't able to rush for a TD on the day. He rushed for 78 yards via 18 carries which means he ran for an average of 4.3 yards per carry. Tamorrion Terry was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 78 yards on 4 catches. He averaged 19.5 yards per catch in the game. The Florida State Seminoles ran the ball 29 times and racked up a total of 95 yards earning them an average of 3.3 yards per rushing attempt. In all, they ran 66 plays which gave them a total of 329 yards. For the game, the Seminoles earned 21 first downs and they totaled 10 penalties for 83 yards which is telling in terms of discipline. When discussing the defense, Florida State gave up 30 catches on 40 tries for a total of 295 yards, and a completion percentage of 75.0%. For this contest, they allowed 415 yards and earned 2 turnovers. On the ground, the Seminoles gave up 120 yards on 32 carries which means they allowed 3.8 yards per run allowed.

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The Seminoles come into this matchup with a record of 1-2. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Seminoles have one of the top tier offenses in the country. Florida State hasn't done much to make teams fear their rushing game by averaging 137.7 rushing yards per contest, putting them 90th in D-1. As a unit, they have compiled a total of 413 rushing yards through 3 contests, so they'll need to look to improve on these numbers if they want to compete with the better teams in the nation. The Seminoles average 418.7 yards per game overall ranking them 62nd in the country and 7th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Seminoles are giving up 37 points per game ranking them 14th in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 120th in D-1. Their pass defense is one of the worst units in Division 1. They are giving up 314.3 passing yards per game. For passing yards allowed per game, the Seminoles sit in 14th in the conference. In terms of points allowed, they have allowed 111 points in total. When it comes to yards rushing, they are giving up 170.7 yards per game which puts them at 88th in the nation and 9th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This year, they have allowed 512 rushing yards and 8.1 rushing touchdowns.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals/Seminoles college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Seminoles -8.5

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