Wrapping up Florida; Kassim, Williams predict FSU football vs. Louisville | Seminole Script

Welcome to Seminole Script.

Seminole Script is recorded each Wednesday following the second practice of the week and will be accompanied by a Seminole Script Roundtable.

Democrat writers Ehsan Kassim and Jack Williams talk about all things Florida State football, including final thoughts on last week's rivalry road victory over Florida, a glimpse into Tuesday and Wednesday practices and a look ahead to Saturday's ACC Championship Game against Louisville.

The No. 4 Seminoles (12-0, 8-0 ACC) and Cardinals (10-2, 7-1) are scheduled to face off at Bank of America Stadium at 8 p.m. Saturday. (Broadcast: ABC).

Kassim and Williams share their final thoughts on Florida and look ahead to this week's game in the roundtable below.

Any final thoughts on FSU's rivalry victory over Florida?

Ehsan Kassim: It was not the cleanest game and FSU has made a bad habit of falling in a hole against inferior opponents, but at the end of the day, we're in survive and advance time of the year and that's what the Seminoles did.

We also saw Washington and Alabama barely scrape by in the Apple Cup and Iron Bowl, respectively, once again proving rivalry games are not easy to win. But FSU's was the most impressive of the three wins, as FSU turned the reigns from Jordan Travis to Tate Rodemaker following Travis' season-ending injury.

The Seminoles always seem to overcome adversity during Mike Norvell's tenure, a staple of a good program with a strong culture. The win proved the toughness within the program and why it is trending in the right direction, as Norvell has led the team from 3 wins to 5 wins to 10 wins and now to 12 and counting wins.

Jack Williams: This was very much a moral win for FSU because it beat a rival on the road without its starting quarterback. After a rough first half, the Seminoles were able to find their grounding and elevate to a win off another elite performance from running back Trey Benson.

It was good for FSU to get this win without Travis and get a "W" under Rodemaker's belt, but you have to think about the reality that Florida is not a good team and FSU very much looked like the weaker squad throughout the second half.

It always feels good to beat Florida, but is FSU ready for the challenge ahead in facing a better team?

More: What did Kalen DeLoach do with the football he intercepted to seal FSU's win over Florida?

Thoughts on Tate Rodemaker's first start of the season?

Ehsan Kassim: He was what I expected him to be when making just his second career start, and the first one in two years, coming inside a loud and hostile environment in the Swamp. The most important thing he did was not put the ball in harm's way. He did not force throws that defenders could pick off.

Now, he just needs to go out and continue playing his game. He needs to get the ball out quickly and process defenses as quickly as possible. Rodemaker's pocket presence also needs some work.

But now that the first start of the season is out of the way, he should feel a little less pressure and be ready to sling the ball around to the impressive offensive weapons he has at his disposal.

Jack Williams: He was OK. He did what he needed to do to win. He didn't take any big risks and when he passed the ball found dependable targets. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. It was overall just average. I think that's what FSU wants out of him right now.

It isn't expecting Rodemaker to do anything flashy or be Travis, but merely be rock solid in the backfield. He's doing that and hopefully, it'll be enough to give FSU its first ACC Championship in nine years.

If Florida State beats Louisville, is it automatically in the College Football Playoffs? If the Seminoles lose, are they automatically eliminated?

Ehsan Kassim: Yes and yes. FSU just needs to win out and finish the season undefeated. If they finish the season undefeated and are denied the playoffs, it would be a travesty. That's why we play the regular season. The Seminoles would have three top-25-ranked wins and an overall impressive resume.

So what if the ACC is a deeply flawed league? The Seminoles did what has been asked of teams in the past to make the playoffs. Now's not the time to go changing the standard of what the committee should look at.

Now, if FSU loses, it is eliminated, no doubt. The Seminoles do not have a resume to match up with the other potential 1-loss teams. They played in a weaker conference and whether its fair or not, not having Travis plays a major factor into the equation.

Jack Williams: Yes and yes. I do not see an equation where if FSU wins, they're out of the playoffs. It has done everything it has been asked for this entire season, which is to win every game. You cannot punch a team that has won out, is in a playoff position and is doing it against similar competition to teams like Oregon and Washington.

However, if FSU loses, it is eliminated. The ACC isn't amazingly strong, and a perfect record is what a team out of this conference needs in order to qualify for the CFP. We've been saying it all year. Any slip-up was going to derail the season, even against stronger teams like LSU, Clemson and Duke. Nothing changes now in the conference championship.

Who is a potential X-Factor for the Seminoles this week?

Ehsan Kassim: Tight end, Jaheim Bell.

This is the Bell game. I feel it. He's been plenty involved in the offense, but I have a sneaking suspicion we see Bell used as a receiver and as a running back, a wrinkle that Norvell has not broken out as much as I thought he would this season.

Part of that has been due to Bell not being 100% healthy in some games this season. But if ever there was a time to break out the packages featuring an elite playmaker, it would definitely be in the biggest game of the season to date.

Bell's 39 receptions for 503 yards already both represent career highs. But he's rushed the ball just four times this season after running 73 times last year with South Carolina.

Jack Williams: Wide receiver, Johnny Wilson.

Considering Louisville has a rush-heavy offense, its defense knows how to defend it. This cannot be a game where Rodemaker is going to hand the ball off again and again. Benson won't be able to do everything like he did against Florida.

Rodemaker is going to need to throw the ball and the popular target has been Wilson. He hasn't had a lot of explosive plays and grabs like Keon Coleman, but has been great in moving the ball downfield and getting critical yards. As a dependable piece at wide receiver, Rodemaker could tie a string to him all night.

We haven't really seen a monster game from Wilson, but this could be the one and really give Rodemaker confidence going into a potential College Football Playoff game later on.

What is your prediction for the game?

Ehsan Kassim: Florida State 34, Louisville 27

This is going to be a tight game and the score may actually be on the high side if the weather in Charlotte turns out to be colder and wetter than currently expected. That could take the ball out of Rodemaker's hands, as Norvell could opt to play it safer with his still-green QB.

The game will feature a couple of lead changes but FSU wrestles control of the game late in the third quarter and builds a two-touchdown lead to feel comfortable before the Cardinals score late to have the game seem a bit closer.

In Bell's breakout game, he scored one rushing and one receiving touchdown and finished with over 100 all-purpose yards. Deuce Spann is also involved in a touchdown of some sort.

Here, here the new ACC Champions, for the first time since 2014.

Jack Williams: Florida State 31, Louisville 24

This is going to be a competitive game and I think it'll be back and forth early on. FSU is going to be able to respond to Louisville, but this is going to be a matchup, like Duke, where the Seminoles are going to be chasing the lead for a bit.

We've seen great fourth-quarter performances from this team all season and I think this game is going to be another one. A touchdown will be the difference as FSU goes on to win its first ACC Championship in almost 10 years and punches its ticket into the College Football Playoff.

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME INFORMATION

Who: No. 4 FSU (12-0, 8-0 ACC) vs. No. 15 Louisville (10-2, 7-1)

When/where: 8 p.m., Saturday, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte

TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @Ehsan_Kassim, @jackgwilliams and @JimHenryTALLY on X, formerly Twitter

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports), Instagram (tlhnolesports) and YouTube channel (NoleSportsTD).

No one covers the ‘Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Ehsan Kassim, Jack Williams predict Louisville ACC Champ