U of L-FSU glance: Matchups, TV, key players
MATCHUP: Florida State at Louisville, Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Louisville (6-2, 4-2 ACC); Florida State (7-0, 4-0 ACC)
ON THE AIR: TV: ESPN. Radio: WHAS-840 AM.
FAVORITE: FSU by 3 1/2.
SERIES: FSU leads 12-2, but Louisville won the last meeting 26-20 in overtime on Sept. 26, 2002.
COACHES: Louisville: Bobby Petrino (47-11, fifth season). Florida State: Jimbo Fisher (52-10, fifth season).
Story lines
Situational football. FSU's offense does three things well: Passing, converting third downs and scoring in the red zone. Louisville's defense does just about everything well, including passing defense, stopping third-down conversions and defending well in the red zone. Neither team does particularly well when the offensive and defensive roles are swapped. In other words, something has to give Thursday night.
Long history of routs. Louisville thumped FSU 41-14 the first time the teams met way back on Oct. 4, 1952. FSU won the next 12 meetings by an average of 32.7 points. Only the most recent matchup, when Louisville famously upset fourth-ranked FSU 26-20 on national TV in pouring rain, was close. The way both teams have played this year, with five combined games decided by six or fewer points, Thursday could look a bit more like 2002.
Penalty problems. Both teams are among the most penalized squads in the country, with FSU ranked 71st and Louisville down at 103rd. Combined, they average 7.2 penalties and 53.1 penalty yards per game. Louisville did much better (four penalties, 33 yards) against NC State, which buoyed coach Bobby Petrino's hope that the Cardinals had turned a corner.
Top-five tide turns. When Louisville shocked FSU back in 2002, it was the first Cards' win over a top-five opponent in program history. Since then, though, U of L's had more success. The Cards beat Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl and upset West Virginia in 2006. In fact, Louisville's 3-2 vs. top-five teams since that 2002 game.
Players to watch
LOUISVILLE
Michael Dyer #5 | RB | SENIOR
In the days after Dyer rumbled 173 yards, U of L coach Bobby Petrino said the powerful, quick tailback looked even better in practice. If that's the case, then Dyer will get the start again at running back on Thursday night, and he might again capture the attention of national college football observers after spending much of the last two seasons in relative anonymity.
FLORIDA STATE
Jameis Winston #5 | QB | RS SOPHOMORE
Every time FSU plays, all eyes are on Winston, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner whose off-field troubles have gained more attention than his on-field production. This season's only been more magnified, but it hasn't kept Winston from putting together another strong batch of numbers. How he handles Louisville's top-ranked defense will go a long way toward deciding the game.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Avg. points scored: U of L 30.9, FSU 37.9
Avg. points allowed: U of L 14.6, FSU 21.6
Avg. yards rushing: U of L 144.6, FSU 125.9
Avg. yards passing: U of L 225.8, FSU 316.7
Opp. yards rushing: U of L 66.9, FSU 146.6
Opp. yards passing: U of L 177, FSU 227.9
Turnover margin: U of L +3, FSU 0