No. 4 Florida State begins run as top-five team against Southern Miss in home opener
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) throws a pass as he is pressured by LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/John Raoux
Southern Miss (1-0) at No. 4 Florida State (1-0), Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
Line: Florida State by 30 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Florida State leads 14-8-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
No. 4 Florida State is a top-five team for the first time in six seasons and opens its home schedule as a heavy favorite against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles will earn $1.5 million for the trip to Tallahassee, and the Seminoles hope to use the payday game as a chance to play reserves and youngsters before opening Atlantic Coast Conference play.
KEY MATCHUP
Frank Gore Jr. vs. FSU's run defense. The Miami native is just 80 yards from the 3,000-yard rushing mark for his career, but he faces a stingy run defense. Florida State allowed just 8 yards on the ground in the second half last week against LSU.
Southern Mississippi running back Frank Gore, left, runs for a short touchdown against Alcorn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Hattiesburg, Miss. Credit: AP/Aimee Cronan
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Southern Miss: Clemson transfer QB Billy Wiles completed 21-of-28 passes for 267 yards, with three TDs and an interception, last week in his first significant college experience. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Wiles joined Clemson as a walk-on in 2021 before earning a scholarship last fall and then transferring to Southern Miss.
Florida State: Michigan State transfer WR Keon Coleman had a dazzling debut for the Seminoles, catching nine passes for 122 yards and three TDs. The 6-foot-4 Coleman was a matchup issue for the Tigers and could provide more headaches for the Golden Eagles.
FACTS & FIGURES
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, front left, tries to scramble past Florida State linebacker Kalen DeLoach (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/John Raoux
Florida State has won 12 of the last 14 meetings with Southern Miss, including most recently a 42-13 romp in the 2017 Independence Bowl. ... Seminoles QB Jordan Travis has accounted for 8,002 offensive yards, which ranks fifth on the school's all-time list. Travis now has 49 touchdown passes. … Seminoles DT Joshua Farmer made his first career start against LSU and finished with three tackles and a sack. … First-year FSU DBs coach Patrick Surtain Sr., who played 11 years in the NFL, was an All-American at Southern Miss (1994-97).
