Florida State’s trip to Pittsburgh comes with a clear warning label: the Panthers are built to smother the run.
Pittsburgh enters the matchup with the No. 2 rushing defense in the country, and the numbers back up the reputation. Through nine games, the Panthers have given up just 615 rushing yards and are allowing only 68 yards on the ground per game. They’ve held opponents under 100 rushing yards in six games this season and have allowed more than three yards per carry only twice.
That’s a problem for a Seminoles team already stretched thin in the backfield. Florida State is dealing with multiple injuries at running back, with Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton Jr. out for the season and Tre Wisner still managing a nagging injury. That leaves Thomas and Daniels as the only really “healthy” options available in the run game.
The Seminoles are coming off a 31-24 road win over Boston College, their first road victory in 12 tries, but they’ll have to turn around quickly on a short week and head back out on the road. Florida State is 4-5, while Pittsburgh sits at 6-3 after a 34-11 win over Georgia Tech.
So far this season, Florida State has averaged 169 rushing yards per game, but that production will be tested by a Panthers defense that makes life miserable for opposing backs and quarterbacks alike. Pittsburgh is also in the top 20 nationally in sacks with 25 and tackles for loss with 61, and it piled up five sacks and 10 tackles for loss against Georgia Tech.
That kind of disruption is exactly why coach Rick Stockstill and offensive coordinator Tim Harris, Jr. may need to keep the Seminoles’ attack balanced. Getting the run game going won’t be easy, so plays that stretch the field horizontally - including jet sweeps to Michai Danzy - could be part of the plan.
Florida State also knows Pittsburgh has had success in this series. The Panthers have won two of the last three meetings and hold a 7-5 edge overall over the Seminoles.
In Other News...
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 🡒]
Florida States Fast Start Is Making Luke Loucks Vision Easy To See
Florida States first two games under Luke Loucks have offered an early glimpse of what he wants this team to look like, and the Seminoles have made it easy to buy in. After opening the 2026-27 season 2-0, they backed up the debut with another solid showing at the Tucker Center, where the pace, balance and energy all looked like part of a bigger plan rather than just a hot start.
The win over Troy also showed how quickly a few key pieces are settling in. Forward Shon Abaev filled the box score with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Sebastian Rancik added 18 points and three rebounds, giving Florida State the kind of inside-out production that can make Loucks vision feel a lot more real. The challenge now is whether the Seminoles can keep that same rhythm once the schedule starts asking tougher questions. [Read more 🡒]