Florida State has a clear path to stress Pittsburgh, and it runs straight through the air.
The Panthers come in ranked No. 123 in passing defense, surrendering 252 passing yards per game. That kind of number gives Seminoles offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. a real chance to build the game plan around Ashton Daniels and the receivers.
Pittsburgh has still created some takeaways this season, with nine interceptions, second most in the ACC. Seven different defenders have at least one pick, and Raion Strader leads the group with three.
But the recent trend has been less threatening. Over the last two games, the Panthers have not intercepted a pass and have allowed four touchdown throws.
Overall, Pittsburgh has given up 2,273 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.
That opens the door for Daniels, though he has to be sharp with the football. He has thrown 12 interceptions this season and has had at least one in eight of his nine games played.
In losses to Alabama and Clemson, he was picked off three times in each game. Even in Florida State’s win over Boston College, he didn’t throw a touchdown pass and did toss an interception.
Against Boston College, Daniels finished with 178 passing yards and completed 57 percent of his throws.
The bigger picture is still solid production. Daniels has passed for 2,146 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, completing 59 percent of his passes and averaging 238 yards per game through the air. He has also thrown multiple touchdown passes five times, including a season-high four touchdown passes in the overtime loss to Miami.
Florida State has the pieces to challenge Pitt downfield, with Michai Danzy, Jayvan Boggs and Jasen Lopez available as targets. Danzy’s speed, in particular, gives the Seminoles a chance to hit explosive plays if the protection holds up and Daniels stays patient in the pocket.
That last part matters. The offensive line has to give Daniels time, and Daniels has to trust what he sees instead of bailing out and running too early.
Pittsburgh has won two of the last three meetings with Florida State, but the Seminoles head into this one with momentum and confidence. If Harris draws it up the right way, and Daniels delivers the Miami version of himself, Florida State can make the Panthers pay through the passing game.
Maybe coach Rick Stockstill (channeling his inner-Bowden) and Harris can install a “pass rooskie” play this week.
In Other News...
Florida States Ground Game Faces A Brutal Test At Pitt
Florida State heads to Pittsburgh off a needed win over Boston College, but the Seminoles ground game is walking into one of its toughest assignments of the season. The running back room has been hit by injuries, and that puts even more pressure on an offense trying to find balance on the road against a Panthers defense that has made a habit of shutting down the run.
Pittsburgh is allowing just 68 rushing yards per game, a number that underscores how difficult it has been to move the ball on the ground against the Panthers. They also arrive with a little momentum after ending their losing streak against Georgia Tech, and their recent success against Florida State only adds to the challenge for a Seminoles team that may need to win this game in less familiar ways. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Finally Found A Spark It Desperately Needed On The Road
For a team that had spent so long searching for anything to jolt its season on the road, Florida State found a much-needed lift at Boston College. The Seminoles snapped a 12-game road losing streak and carried a 21-17 lead into halftime, with the kind of early momentum that had been missing away from Tallahassee. A fake field goal helped set the tone, and interim coach Rick Stockstill said offensive line coach Herb Hand was the one who brought the trick play to the table.
Gabe Panikowski finished the play in style, turning the surprise call into a touchdown, while freshman Amari Thomas gave Florida State another boost with 98 rushing yards and two scores. For a team still trying to build something sturdier under Stockstill, the win offered a rare road breakthrough and a reminder that the Seminoles can still find answers in unexpected places. The next test comes Nov. 13 against Pittsburgh, where Florida State will try to make this one feel like the start of something. [Read more 🡒]
Florida States Youth Movement Just Changed The Feel Of This Team
Florida States win over Boston College had the feel of a team trying to reset itself in real time. With interim head coach Rick Stockstill guiding the sideline after the dismissal of Mike Norvell, the Seminoles leaned on a younger look and a next-man-up approach to survive the kind of game that can easily slip away when injuries start piling up.
Amari Thomas became the central figure in that response, carrying the offense with 19 rushes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. In a 31-24 finish, Florida State showed enough resilience to get through the chaos and enough fresh energy to hint at what this roster might look like as it keeps moving forward. [Read more 🡒]