Virginia heads to Tallahassee on Saturday with a little more confidence than Florida State, at least on paper. The Cavaliers are 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the ACC, and Vegas has them as a 2.5-point favorite over the Seminoles, who come in at 2-2 and 0-1 in league play. Kickoff is set for 3:30.
To get a clearer read on what Virginia is walking into, Tomahawk Nation’s Tim Scribble painted a blunt picture of Florida State’s first month. His view: the record is the story.
“I think the team is exactly what the record represents- a .500 team that should beat bad teams and lose to good teams. Honestly, this game should be very telling.
While I like Virginia and expect them to win, this game kind of falls into the “toss-up” category, which is the “unknown” of FSU. My overall assessment is that it’s a 5-6 win team with a better-than-average offense and an abysmal defense.”
At quarterback, Ashton Daniels has brought some ability to create plays, but Scribble wasn’t exactly handing out rave reviews. The concern, in his eyes, is less about raw tools and more about what happens when the pocket gets messy.
“Hm, not a ton has impressed. He’s just an “ok” quarterback with decent arm talent and decent running skills.
Daniels’ decision-making is what concerns me most. He abandons pockets when he shouldn’t, takes sacks when he should throw the ball away, etc.
He’s had some rough interceptions and doesn’t have the “burst” you would hope for a running quarterback. FSU had better options this offseason but went with Daniels.
It limits an offense that has improved in most positions.”
If Virginia fans are trying to identify the biggest danger, Scribble pointed straight to the ground game and one key wideout. Ousmane Kromah, he said, is the centerpiece.
“Running back Ousmane Kromah is the offense’s focal point. Norvell will run Kromah over and over, hoping to open up the passing game.
I think FSU should actually work the opposite side and pass to open it up for Kromah. Duce Robinson is a stud at receiver, and the Seminoles should attack the short-to-middle levels of the field.
They probably won’t, so expect a lot of Kromah. The offense can score if it doesn’t get behind the chains.”
The other side of the ball, though, is where Scribble sounded most alarmed. Florida State’s defense has been a problem, and he didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Wow, how much time do you have? It wouldn’t shock me if UVA scores on the opening drive, maybe struggles on one or two drives, and then scores every possession after that.
FSU has been routinely abused by opposing offensive coordinators. Zero pass rush, huge cushions for receivers, players out of position.
I am not sure Pribula will be slowed down by the defense, but if they can, I think it will be forcing him into obvious passing downs and keeping containment.”
For Virginia, that means the path is simple enough to see. If the Cavaliers can avoid letting Florida State’s run game dictate terms and keep Pribula in manageable situations, they’ll like their chances.
In Other News...
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The timing still matters for Virginia, which has had to navigate the running backs absence during the first part of the season while the case played out. Beebe is now back with the Cavaliers, but the episode is not entirely behind the team yet, and the remaining legal issue leaves one more layer of uncertainty hanging over a player whose status has already shifted once. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger issue is whether the defense can look different from Virginias lone away outing so far, when that side of the ball did not hold up the way it has at home. Robinsons return from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season last November adds another layer to the night, since Virginia is still easing him back into a meaningful role while trying to stabilize the defense. If the Cavaliers can get through this one, the road path ahead starts to look a lot less uncertain. [Read more 🡒]