Florida State’s trip to Pittsburgh comes with a clear warning label: the Seminoles may have to lean on a thin backfield against one of the nation’s toughest run defenses.
That was already a problem before the injury list got longer. Florida State is down three running backs - Quintrevion Wisner, Ousmane Kromah, and Sam Singleton Jr. - and now faces a Pitt front that has made life miserable on the ground all season. The Panthers are allowing just 68.3 rushing yards per game and 2.24 yards per carry, numbers that put real pressure on Florida State to find answers fast on Friday.
The good news for the Seminoles is that true freshman Amari Thomas looked ready for a bigger role last weekend. He finished just two yards short of 100 and scored twice in Florida State’s road win at Boston College, and with the current injuries, he is in line for his first career start.
Pitt’s most recent performance showed exactly why this matchup is tricky. The Panthers held Georgia Tech under 100 rushing yards and piled up a season-high 10 tackles for loss in a 34-11 win. Defensive linemen Jaeden Moore and Nick James are tied for the team lead with eight tackles for loss apiece, and that kind of disruption can wreck an offense before it gets rolling.
Florida State interim coach Rick Stockstill highlighted the challenge in front of the Seminoles. “They twist a lot,” Stockstill said when previewing the Panthers. “They give you a lot of different looks with their front seven.”
That movement puts even more on sophomore Chavez Thompson and the rest of the offensive line, especially with Thompson expected to make his first career start at center because Bradyn Welch-Joiner is out.
If Florida State can’t get Thomas going early, the burden shifts to Ashton Daniels, and that’s not a comfortable place to live against Pitt. Daniels will also have to do it without star wide receiver Duce Robinson for the second straight game.
There is a path through the air, though. Pitt has allowed more than 250 passing yards per game, and Boston College showed what that can look like when it found enough traction to keep the Panthers off balance. The Eagles threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns in their 27-21 win, while Daniels has already shown he can produce through the air as well.
At Miami, he passed for 298 yards and four touchdowns, with Robinson responsible for 113 yards and two of those scores. In Chestnut Hill, Micahi Danzy led Florida State with seven catches for 86 yards, and true freshman Jasen Lopez added four receptions for 54 yards, including an 11-yard grab on third-and-4 that kept the winning drive alive.
Florida State can help Daniels by getting Danzy and Lopez involved early and avoiding the obvious passing downs that Pitt’s front is built to create. But if the Seminoles get forced into a pass-heavy script, Daniels’ turnover issues become part of the story too. He leads the country with 12 interceptions, a number that could loom large if Florida State can’t establish the run and has to chase the game through the air.
In Other News...
Florida State Coaching Search Just Took A Dramatic New Turn
Florida States coaching search has a fresh layer of intrigue after the school hired Jeff Purinton as its new athletic director, a move that could shape how the next head coach is chosen. Purintons arrival matters because he is expected to have a significant voice in the process, and that immediately shifts the focus from speculation to who he trusts to lead the Seminoles forward.
One name that has gained traction is Glenn Schumann, Georgias defensive coordinator, whose connection to Purinton gives him a built-in familiarity as the search unfolds. Schumanns background under Kirby Smart only adds to his profile, while another previously linked option, Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, appears to be off the board for now after signing an extension with the Demon Deacons. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Coaching Search Just Got Clearer After One Early Candidate's Move
Florida States coaching search is moving into a more defined phase, with the school still working to replace Mike Norvell and new athletic director Jeff Purinton now in the middle of the vetting process. The list of names tied to the job has included Wake Forests Dave Clawson, Dukes Manny Diaz and Georgias Glenn Schumann, a mix that underscores how broad the search has been as the Seminoles weigh both recruiting chops and on-field results.
One early candidates move has helped narrow the picture a bit, even if nothing official has been decided yet. For Florida State, that matters because the next hire is being judged on more than just rsum appeal - Purinton is clearly looking for someone who can stabilize the program quickly and keep the Seminoles competitive in the recruiting battles that shape the ACC race. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State May Have Found A Scorer Fans Can Believe In
Florida State did not have to wait long to see what Sebastian Rancik could bring after the Colorado transfer arrived ahead of his junior season. Through his first three games, he has already scored 66 points with 12 rebounds and six assists, a strong early return for a player still settling into Luke Loucks offensive system. The early production has given the Seminoles a new option who looks comfortable creating offense and carrying a bigger load than many expected this soon.
Ranciks best showing so far came in a career-high 25 points against Florida A&M, a reminder that his game is translating quickly in Tallahassee. The Slovakian international has brought a polished scoring touch and a level of confidence that stands out in a new setting, and Florida State has reason to keep leaning into it as the season develops. For a team looking for reliable offense, his start has been hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]