One of the most important games of the season in the ACC takes place on Saturday as the No. 2 Florida State Seminoles visit the No. 10 Louisville Cardinals in a Week 3 matchup on ABC. The Seminoles are in position to make the College Football Playoff if they win this game as their only other tough game is against Clemson and that one is in Tallahassee. On the other side, the Louisville Cardinals are unbeaten at 2-0 and led by an offense that is averaging 66 points per game, best in the country.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 3 game is set for Saturday, September 17, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, KY
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Florida State -3.5
Louisville +3.5
Odds Analysis
The opening line for this game had Florida State listed as a 2-point favorite and the wiseguys jumped all over this number taking it to FSU -3.5. Oddsmakers thought that the public would be taking the Cardinals in this game which is why the line opened at just two points but the wiseguys have a strong belief in Florida State.
This line has already moved past the key number of three so there is a very good chance of a buyback later in the week on Louisville so that the early bettors can go for a possible middle with FSU -2 and Louisville +3.5.
The total on this game is probably going to rise no matter what number the oddsmakers put out simply because of Louisville’s potent offense and because the Cardinals are playing at home.
Matchup to Watch
The fascinating matchup to watch in this game will be the top offense of the Louisville Cardinals against a very tough Florida State defense. The Cardinals are averaging a ridiculous 66 points per game and an amazing 754 yards of total offense per game. Lamar Jackson has been incredible this season accounting for 13 TDs in two games.
Jackson will be going up against a Florida State defense that hasn’t been as great this season as they usually are as they are allowing 337 yards per game, 58th in the country. FSU has allowed 21 points per game, 53rd best in the nation.
Player to Watch
The most exciting player in college football so far this season has been Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson who accounted for five touchdowns last week in the win over Syracuse. His 610 total yards were the most in ACC history. Jackson was the offensive player of the week in the country in Week 1 for his performance against Charlotte.
In two weeks of action, Jackson has accounted for over 1,000 yards in total offense. He had 8 TDs in the win over Charlotte and 5 against Syracuse so in two weeks he has an incredible 13 TDs.
It is worth noting that both Charlotte and Syracuse have very poor defenses so I will be interesting to see how Jackson does this week against a stout FSU defense.
Jackson and Louisville could get a break on Saturday as Florida State sophomore safety Derwin James hurt his left knee in the win over Charleston Southern. James is considered the best defensive player for the Seminoles and if he is out it would be a big blow to FSU.
Free ATS Pick
I am surprised that the wiseguys jumped on FSU in this game but perhaps they were just reacting to the number being less than three. I think Louisville is for real and that Jackson has the ability to give the FSU defense all kinds of problems so I will take the 3.5 points and go with Louisville in a game that I think they will have a chance to win outright.
College Football Odds: Louisville 35, Florida State 34
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