Wrapping up Wake Forest; Kassim, Williams make Pittsburgh predictions | 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 win against Wake Forest, a glimpse into Tuesday and Wednesday practices and a look ahead to Saturday's road game against Pittsburgh, with the Seminoles having a chance to clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game.
The No. 4 Seminoles (8-0, 6-0 ACC) and Panthers (2-6, 1-3) are scheduled to face off at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Penn. at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. (Broadcast: ESPN).
Kassim and Williams share their final thoughts on Wake Forest and look ahead to this week's game in the roundtable below.
This week - and moving forward - Kassim and Williams will discuss other FSU football, as well as other sports in an extended version of the podcast, which can be found below.
Any final thoughts on FSU's dominant road victory over Wake Forest?
Ehsan Kassim: That was among the best performances of the season for the Seminoles. And it came on the road. It was far from a hostile environment, as Seminoles fans seemed to outnumber the fans for the Demon Deacons.
Outside of the first drive, where FSU nearly had an interception and fumble, the offense played a clean game. There are a few things to clean up, as the offense racked up four penalties and the defense five. Quarterback Jordan Travis re-inserted himself in the Heisman Trophy contention with his performance the past two weeks and running back Trey Benson is playing his best football of the season.
For the first time this season, Jared Verse and Patrick Payton also recorded sacks in the same game, finishing with two each. The Seminoles are finding their stride.
Jack Williams: FSU had something to prove in showing that it could dominate the same way on the road as it had at home, and did just that in Winston-Salem. It did help that Seminole fans traveled pretty well up to North Carolina as the stands were packed with Garnet and Gold.
In the game, FSU flexed its versatility on offense, seeing Benson leading in receiving yards and its tight ends continue to step up in big ways. Defensively, the Seminoles limited Wake to just 16 points and continued to smother the opposition.
It was a wide and expected win for FSU. Will be interesting to see if it can continue this dominance into next week.
The Panthers average 2.88 sacks per game. Can FSU keep Jordan Travis upright?
Ehsan Kassim: Travis has been hard to take down and is always moving the pocket. I'd expect more of that, as the offensive line has blocked well but holding up against a talented front from the Panthers could be difficult.
On straight dropbacks, I do believe the Seminoles will give Travis enough time to search downfield and find Keon Coleman and other receivers. The offensive line has played well of late and the confidence from the success helps them against a good front.
Jack Williams: Yes. Even if Pitt somehow finds a way to break through the line, Travis is one of the more mobile quarterbacks in college football right now. If they manage to get him down, he'll likely get a few yards out of it or will be getting a pass-off.
Like Ehsan said, it's been very hard for opposing teams to get Travis down this year. He knows how to keep plays going and get the most out of them. Despite Pitt's success in getting to QBs this year, Travis should have no issue operating in the backfield this weekend.
Pittsburgh's defense ranks top 50 in the country in stopping the run? Will FSU establish a run game?
Ehsan Kassim: Honestly, I think the Seminoles depend on the pass game with the run game establishing itself later in the game when teams have to respect the pass a lot more.
Establishing the run game has been an ongoing struggle for FSU this season, outside of a few big runs here and there. But the backs are involved in the screen game and Travis has used short passes to alleviate some of the struggles running the ball.
Also, don't count out Travis running the ball himself if the run game is not there, as that has helped open up more rushing lanes as the season has gone on.
Jack Williams: This is an interesting point as the run game has been very spotty this year. It's popped off at times and then it sometimes goes dead silent. FSU also tends to prefer its passing game to its running game, which makes sense considering the weapons it has at wide receiver.
It's going to be a similar situation to most games. If Benson isn't going, the run game isn't going. We've seen good performances from Lawrance Toafili and Rodeny Hill, but they haven't shown that they can power the rushing effort without Benson.
Who is a key player to watch for FSU against the Panthers?
Ehsan Kassim: Linebacker Omar Graham Jr.
Yes, Graham was robbed of a sack against the Demon Deacons. It was clearly a passing play and he clearly took down Mitch Griffis in the backfield when Griffis tried to escape when there was nothing open down the field.
Even head coach Mike Norvell and defensive coordinator Adam Fuller were left confused over the decision to not score it a sack.
But that's fine. Graham picked up his first career tackle for loss and as he becomes a bigger part of the rotation, he'll have more opportunities for more.
This is going to be his breakout game.
Jack Williams: Defensive back Renardo Green.
He's been a really solid piece in a busy secondary and has a really good week of practice. His coverage against FSU's receivers during practice has been lights out and makes his man work to get open. Against Pitt, that effort should translate nicely.
The secondary has been dominant and has done it as a collective group. There hasn't been one guy who's stolen the show, but I think this could be a good game for Green.
What is your prediction for the game?
Ehsan Kassim: Florida State 55, Pittsburgh 6
The Irish defeated the Panthers 58-7 last week in North Bend, Indiana. Pitt's only points came in the fourth quarter. I expect the Panthers to score on two first-half field goals and be shut out in the second half.
Travis throws for three more TDs and rushes for another, keeping up his hot play of late. Ja'Khi Douglas scores on a pair of passing touchdowns from Travis and Deuce Spann also adds a receiving TD and a couple of big kickoff returns.
As alluded to above, in Graham's breakout game, he records a strip sack, which is returned for a touchdown near the end of the first half.
Jack Williams: Florida State 55, Pittsburgh 10
This should be another easy win for FSU. I think Pitt sneaks in a touchdown and a field goal to get on the board, but the Seminoles cruise to 9-0 after picking up their fourth ACC road win of the season. It is a colder environment and the field terrain may be a little tougher than usual, but it shouldn't play too much of a factor.
A road victory in a challenging environment, weather-wise, may be just what the doctor ordered for FSU going into a rivalry game against Miami and the final three-game stretch of the season.
Also, keep in mind that if the Seminoles win they clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game for the first time since 2014.
GAME INFORMATION
Who: No. 4 FSU (8-0, 6-0 ACC) at Pittsburgh (2-6, 1-3)
When/where: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Penn.
TV/Radio: ESPN/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) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Ehsan Kassim, Jack Williams predict Pittsburgh game
