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FSU football vs. Cal prediction: Cal running back Jaydn Ott a huge challenge for Seminoles
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- FSU football vs. Cal prediction: Cal running back Jaydn Ott a huge challenge for Seminoles
Florida State football is under the lights at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, hosting Cal in the first game between the two schools.
While the primetime matchup loses some shine after the Seminoles' dismal 0-3 start to the season , the Golden Bears (3-0) come to town with hopes of winning the program's first ACC game.
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Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Tallahassee.
Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell said he would evaluate his offensive personnel and schemes after a 20-12 loss to Memphis . While there have been no clear changes made yet, a potential influx of playing time for the youth on FSU's roster against Cal could provide a spark that Norvell said his team needs.
Cal head coach Justin Wilcox has a 39-43 record, coming off a 6-7 season that ended in a loss in the Independence Bowl. Wilcox had led back-to-back winning seasons before COVID hit in 2020.
The pandemic slightly derailed the program's momentum, leading to three straight losing seasons before last year's .500 regular season and bowl appearance.
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The Golden Bears come to Tallahassee after a 31-10 win over San Diego State in week three and FSU enters the game after yet another uninspiring performance in the loss to Memphis .
How do the Seminoles contain a returning Jaydn Ott , Golden Bears offense
The Golden Bears are led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza , running back Jaydn Ott and wide receiver Nyziah Hunter.
The Cal trio could give FSU's defense a healthy challenge in both the pass and the rush as the Golden Bears like to utilize mid to long-range passes and motions to try and open up coverages. On the ground, the option and dynamic runs are frequent in offensive sets.
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In the air, the Golden Bears average 203 passing yards per game. Mendoza is 61-of-87 for 589 yards and five touchdowns this season, with his favorite target being Hunter, who has 143 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Ott is returning from an injury he sustained in the team's season-opening 31-13 win over UC Davis , and he is the biggest threat that FSU has faced this season.
"He's probably as good as a back you are going to see out there," Norvell said. "He's arguably got that type of skill."
He recorded 1315 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Golden Bears, and in limited action, he has 70 rushing yards for two touchdowns this season. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season, and on his 24 carries this year he has recorded a healthy 8.5 yards per carry.
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The Cal running game is averaging 158.7 yards per game, scoring five touchdowns in three games. With Ott battling injury, Javian Thomas has shouldered the load with 241 yards and a score on the ground, while Kadarius Calloway has 106 yards and a touchdown, with 87 of those yards coming in the win over San Diego State in week three.
After FSU's defense struggled to contain the run in the first two games of the season and currently allows opponents 172 yards per game, the Seminoles will need a dramatic improvement in run-stopping if it wants a chance at winning on Saturday.
The defensive line led by Joshua Farmer and the best edge-setter on the team Sione Lolohea had a better showing against Memphis, and that level of performance will need to grow so the Seminoles' defense can rise to the challenge that Ott and the Golden Bears will present them.
Can FSU's young players, personnel changes provide a much-needed spark
Sep 14, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Lawayne McCoy (15) fumbles a punt return against the Memphis Tigers during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
The Seminoles' offense once again had a slow start vs. Memphis, with more questions asked of quarterback DJ Uiagalelei after he went 16-of-30 for 201 passing yards , throwing for one touchdown and an interception.
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Facing a Cal defense that is allowing 12.3 points per game and 184 passing yards, Uiagalelei will hope this is finally the game he turns things around. Last season with Oregon State , Uiagalelei went 19-of-25 for 275 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-40 win over Cal, however as Norvell said, this isn't the same team.
"DJ being a quarterback that has played against this team and defensive coordinator, he has a familiarity," Norvell said. "It's still this year's team and how they are utilizing personnel. It's easy to see you turn on film, they are a better team than they were a year ago. It's an impressive group."
Uiagalelei has completed 56-of-99 passes for 666 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions this season. Missed throws, slow decisions and dropped balls have all contributed to calls for redshirt freshman backup Brock Glenn to see the field in some capacity this season.
Despite that, Norvell listed Uiagalalei as the starter on the depth chart for the week four matchup. However, Norvell did say multiple times leading up to the game that all aspects of the offensive personnel and scheme would be evaluated.
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There is potential that some of those changes involve freshmen, as Norvell said in practice this week there are multiple players in this year's freshmen class that he feels can make a difference.
"There are a handful of the freshman that we're pushing," Norvell said. "If a guy can get out there and help this football team, we are going to push it."
True freshmen Kam Davis, Elijah Moore , Lawayne McCoy, Cai Bates and Charles Lester III have all been listed on the depth chart since the season opener, with Michai Danzy a recent elevation after Jaylin Lucas's season-ending injury .
Despite the six freshmen on the depth chart, only Davis and McCoy have seen meaningful action this year.
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Two players who could give FSU the spark it is searching for are Moore and Danzy.
The 6-foot-4 Moore gives the Seminoles' passing game a vertical threat it doesn't have right now. He is a quick route runner and has flashed the ability to make big plays in practice, and his height reminds you of players like Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson , who starred for FSU last season.
Danzy has a case for being one of the fastest players in college football, the multi-time high school state champion sprinter and Junior Olympian gives the Seminoles a rare speed threat. He and Davis could be the future of the running back room, and with Davis limited to just nine carries for 24 yards this season, an increased role for both could add a power and speed element to boost the running game against the Cal defense.
Score prediction: Cal 23, FSU 17
Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (4) throws the ball during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Cal leaves Tallahassee with its first ACC victory, and first win over the Seminoles in program history . While FSU will show a continued improvement defensively, a returning Ott will power the Golden Bears to victory on the ground. Uiagalelei won't have the five-touchdown performance he had for Oregon State vs. Cal last season, but he'll lead a scoring drive and the defense will score on a pick-six. However, while it will be an improved offensive showing, it won't be enough as another slow start from proves costly in the end.
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How to watch FSU football vs. Cal 2024
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Date: Saturday, Sep. 21
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Time: 7 p.m.
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Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
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TV: ESPN2
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Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial ), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football vs. Cal prediction: Can the Seminoles avoid 0-4 disaster
