The No. 9 Florida State Seminoles are set to return to action in Week 4, and they are once again the heavy favorites. They are set to play the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday in Doak Campbell Stadium, which is set to start at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be on the ACC Network.
FSU is coming off a bye and is looking to improve to 3-0 on the season before the start of conference play. They will once again be playing in front of a sold-out crowd, with some good weather expected. It could be another big game for Florida State’s offense, which is looking to build off its near-perfect showing last time they played.
Kent State is looking for its first road game since 2022, they have also not beaten an FBS opponent since then. They are 1-2 to open the season, but they did push Buffalo last week and will be looking to give the Seminoles everything they can handle on Saturday.
With kickoff nearly here, here is how the FSU Wire staff sees Saturday’s game playing out.
Report card time
Question: How would you grade FSU’s first three weeks of the season?
JD McCarthy: A+, the offense and defense have been excellent to start the season, and they look like a true contender in the ACC.
Jacob Smith: Definitely an A. Everyone has exceeded expectations, but it hasn’t been perfect. There is always room for improvement!
Matthew Lenix: A. They have looked good on both sides of the ball. Minimal mistakes.
Give me more
Question: Are there any players you want to see more of?
JD McCarthy: Ousmane Kromah has looked like he is going to be a future star in limited touches. Keep feeding him and see what he can become.
Jacob Smith: I would love to see more of Squirrel White. That trio with Tommy Castellanos and Duce Robinson is electric.
Matthew Lenix: Ousmane Kromah. His ability to be a threat on the ground and in the passing game needs to be utilized more.
Have to keep getting better
Question: What area do you want to see improvement?
JD McCarthy: Punt returns. It is minor, but they have cost themselves yards and a possession this year, which could be critical down the stretch if they do not improve.
Jacob Smith: Tommy’s passing numbers aren’t eye-popping as they could be, perhaps if he had more attempts, he’d be a Heisman frontrunner.
Matthew Lenix: Ball security. They only have two turnovers, and one was on special teams, but they have fumbled four times.
These players have stepped up
Question: The player who has surprised you the most this season.
JD McCarthy: Earl Little Jr. He struggled mightily last season but has become one of the best safeties in the country and a difference-maker for the Seminoles.
Jacob Smith: Tommy Castellanos. None of us had any expectations after his Alabama comments. We all didn’t know ball. We all owe him an apology for not being familiar with his game.
Matthew Lenix: Mandrell Desir. He has not only been one of the best players on FSU, but he’s been one of the better freshmen in the country.
Who wins?
Question: Score prediction?
JD McCarthy: FSU 52, Kent State 10: The Seminoles are the significantly better team and have shown they do not mess around with an inferior opponent.
Jacob Smith: FSU 56, Kent State 3. The Seminoles will handle their business easily and move to 3-0.
Matthew Lenix: FSU 59, Kent State 10. Another prediction for FSU to cruise to victory.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Wire’s predictions for Seminoles’ Week 4 game vs. Kent State
Reporting by JD McCarthy, Matthew Lenix and Jacob Smith, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
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