Memphis will face off against Florida State on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET, with the Seminoles favored by 6 1/2 points, according to BetMGM College Football Odds. Florida State holds a series record of 10-7-1.
This game holds significance as Florida State coach Mike Norvell, who used to coach at Memphis, will be up against his former school and coach Ryan Silverfield, who served as Norvell’s offensive line coach from 2016-2019 at Memphis. A win for the Seminoles could help boost their confidence after a disappointing 0-2 start, while a victory for the Tigers would further solidify their position as a top Group of Five team.
The key matchup to watch is Florida State’s run defense against Memphis’ ground attack. Florida State has struggled to contain running quarterbacks and stop the run, ranking 123rd in the FBS in run defense, giving up 453 yards in two games. Memphis’ running backs, Mario Anderson and Greg Desrosiers Jr., pose a challenge for the Seminoles.
Keep an eye on Florida State’s running back Lawrance Toafili, who scored the team’s only rushing touchdown in 2024. The Seminoles need to improve their ground game which currently averages 59.5 yards per game. Toafili, along with Roydell Williams and Kam Davis, will play a crucial role in reviving the rushing offense.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan, the program’s all-time leading passer, will be a player to watch with 19 career 300-yard passing games. Florida State’s Jaylin Lucas will miss the remainder of the season due to injury, while Memphis boasts a 2-0 record for the 11th consecutive season.
In other news, Florida State started 0-2 in 2021 before finishing 5-7, and linebacker Elijah Herring earned AAC defensive player of the week honors for his standout performance in the win over Troy.