There’s only one reason this game is being played. The Florida State Seminoles have the longest bowl streak in college football and are paying good money to make sure it continues. Three weeks ago, Florida State rescheduled its game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, a game that was originally canceled because of Hurricane Irma. FSU has taken care of business so far, but needs to win this one to get to 6-6 and lock up a bowl spot. The Warhawks would love nothing more than to play spoiler in their final game of the season.
Watch this regular season Week 14 matchup live on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at 12 p.m. ET at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. This game will be broadcast on ESPN.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Louisiana Monroe +27
Florida State -27
Over/Under 65.5
Odds Analysis
Florida State was one of the worst teams to bet on all season long. The Seminoles fell woefully short of expectations this season after Deondre Francois was injured. Florida State didn’t cover a game until two weeks ago when it destroyed FCS Delaware State and then followed that up with a nice win over Florida last week.
Louisiana Monroe is 4-7 SU and 6-5 ATS and the key to the Warhawks success all year long has been their offense. In all four of their wins, Louisiana Monroe scored at least 45 points. The Warhawks also have one of the worst defenses in college football, allowing at least 27 points in every game this season. Unsurprisingly, over has been a great bet with this team all year long. The over is 8-3 in Warhawks games.
Matchup to Watch
The Seminoles have posted their worst offensive numbers in quite some time this season, but should be able to move the ball against the Warhawks defense all game long. Louisiana Monroe has one of the worst defenses in the FBS and finished the season as one of just three units allowing over seven yards per play. It’s a team effort as both the run defense and the pass defense have failed spectacularly this season.
Last week, the Warhawks suffered a total collapse on defense. Arkansas State racked up over 100 penalty yards, but still moved the ball with ease all game against Louisiana Monroe. Justice Hansen torched this secondary for a school record 520 yards through the air and Arkansas State finished with 781 total yards in this one.
Running backs Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick should be able to exploit this defense all game long and it wouldn’t be a shock to see both surpass the 100-yard mark. Jimbo Fisher has been careful with James Blackman as the freshman quarterback has thrown nine interceptions this season and if he can move the ball on the ground, he will.
Coaching Angle
Speaking of Fisher, it will be interesting to see how FSU plays with all that is going on in Tallahassee right now. There are rumors swirling that this will be his last game as coach of the Seminoles as Texas A&M has made him a huge offer to be its next coach. Fisher has not commented on the rumors, but that has not stopped the speculation.
Players and assistant coaches alike are being left in limbo and with many assistants expected to be fired at the end of the season even if Fisher stays, it might create a very interesting dynamic in this one.
Free ATS Pick
There’s no doubt that the Seminoles are the better team in this one, but with all the stuff going on outside of the hashes, they shouldn’t be this big of a favorite. After a big win over a rival, I expect Florida State to be sloppy in this one and do enough for the win, but not much else.
College Football Odds: Florida State 34, Louisiana Monroe 20
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