Syracuse looks to stop Florida State’s incredible run through ACC competition as the Orange travel to Tallahassee to face the undefeated Seminoles. Television coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN2.
How to watch Syracuse vs. Florida State: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Can the Orange pull of the huge upset?
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The Seminoles have looked frankly unstoppable this season. Besides a 14-point win over Boston College, their closest game was a 41-14 blowout of Miami. Florida State ranks in the top five of both scoring offense (52 points per game, second in the country) and scoring defense (14 points allowed per game, fourth in the country), and have absolutely dominated their competition.
Syracuse, like Duke, is a team that has taken care of the sizeable (and bad) underbelly of the ACC. The Orange have defeated NC State, Wake Forest and Maryland thanks in large part to those three teams’ enthusiasms for shooting themselves in the foot. The Orange defense, which allowed 49 points to Clemson, 56 points to Georgia Tech and 48 points to Northwestern, gave up a total of 13 points in those three wins.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Florida State is ranked No. 2 in the BCS Standings. The Seminoles are in first place in the ACC Atlantic while the Orange are in third. Florida State has a 5-1 lead in the all-time series, and Syracuse has not won a contest between the two schools since 1966.
Vegas: Florida State is a 38.5-point favorite.
Weather: Mid-70s and showers.
Three names to know
Jameis Winston. The likely Heisman winner has thrown 26 touchdowns against seven interceptions as a freshman, and has led the Seminoles to a season in which a 14-point victory has been their closest margin. He also has an ongoing off-field circumstance sure to be mentioned during the broadcast.
Rashad Greene. Winston's top target has caught eight touchdown passes and is averaging 16.4 yards per catch.
Jerome Smith. Syracuse's workhorse back is averaging nearly five yards per carry and has scored ten touchdowns this season.
Two things at stake
The Seminoles are on track for the national title game, but will need to win out to keep those dreams alive.
A win for Syracuse here would be a monumental upset, grant a bowl berth and label the Scott Shafer era as an instant success.
How to witness
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN2.
Online streaming: WatchESPN.
Further reading
For more on Syracuse, head to Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician. For the Florida State perspective, check out Tomahawk Nation.
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