The Associated Press
No. 1 Florida State (7-0, 4-0 ACC, No. 2 CFP) at Louisville (6-2, 4-2, No. 25 CFP), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Florida State by 3 1-2.
Series record: Florida State leads 12-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Florida State looks to extend its nation-leading 23-game winning streak and near the top of the College Football Playoff rankings. Louisville hopes to stay in Atlantic Division contention and earn a signature win under first-year coach Bobby Petrino.
KEY MATCHUP
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston vs. Louisville’s 3-4 defense. After completing 15 of 16 second-half passes for 181 yards and a touchdown to help beat Notre Dame, the Heisman Trophy winner goes against the nation’s top defense (245.8 yards per game). Louisville’s 15 interceptions lead the nation but faces the best QB it has seen in a while.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida State: WR Rashad Greene. The Seminoles senior and career receptions leader tops the ACC in several categories including yards (791), catches (52) and yards per game (113.0). He also averages a conference-best 12.3 yards per punt return.
Louisville: WR DeVante Parker. After missing the first seven games with a broken left small toe, the Cardinals’ top receiver returned against North Carolina State two weeks ago and played as if he hadn’t been away. His first reception for 37 yards set up a Louisville touchdown and he finished with nine catches for 132 yards in the 30-18 victory.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Seminoles are 9-5 all-time on Thursday night, including 8-4 in the ACC. Louisville is 10-7 with wins in three of its past four on that night. … This is the first meeting between the schools since Louisville upset then-fourth-ranked FSU 26-20 in 2002 in Louisville. … FSU LB Terrance Smith leads the ACC with 10.2 tackles per game and had 11 with two for loss vs. Notre Dame. … Cardinals RB Michael Dyer made his first start this season against N.C. State and rushed for 173 yards and two TDs on 24 carries, his best game with Louisville.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
