FSU football can get in the win column vs. Central Arkansas: Our prediction
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Florida State football returns to Doak Campbell Stadium for a parents' weekend showdown against Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The 3 p.m. kickoff will be an emotional one for head coach Mike Norvell, who coaches against his alma mater and former quarterback, Nathan Brown. FSU is coming off a second consecutive loss and will look to build momentum ahead of a grueling ACC schedule.
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Tallahassee Democrat FSU Athletics beat reporter Liam Rooney breaks down the game.
Quick facts
Matchup: Florida State (1-2) vs. Central Arkansas (2-2)
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. Saturday / Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
TV/radio: ACC Network / Seminole Sports Network
Line: FSU -44.5
Scouting report: What to know about Central Arkansas
With the ball: The Bears are a run-first offense that averages 29.5 points per game and 407 yards of total offense. While Central Arkansas will drop back to pass, the scheme prioritizes the ground game to set up deep shots down the field. It has slight similarities to what Norvell runs, with a mix of motions and pre-snap movements used. The Bears average 238.3 yards per game on the ground, with quarterback Donovyn Omolo and running back Jalen Washington the main threats.
Without the ball: The Bears have found some success defensively, but still allow 28.25 points per game and 328.5 yards per game. The defense gives up an average of 213.25 yards per game in the air and allows an average of 115 rushing yards per game. Central Arkansas is able to create turnovers, with six in four games so far, including four interceptions and two fumbles recovered on four forced.
Get to know the Bears
Donovyn Omolo, a true dual-threat: The Seminoles will face a third straight dual-threat quarterback, this time in Donovyn Omolo, who has accounted for over 1,000 yards of total offense this season. He's thrown for 671 yards and rushed for 360, a team high, while accounting for eight touchdowns. He has struggled with turnovers, tossing four interceptions, and he has been sacked six times. FSU should, key word should, have enough to keep him in the pocket and potentially force a turnover.
Jacob Sekiyoba is a DB to watch: On the outside, defensive back Jacob Sekiyoba has snagged a pair of interceptions with 17 tackles, including three for a loss. The junior defensive back will have his eyes on Ashton Daniels with hopes of adding to the Seminoles' turnover numbers.
Liam Rooney's two cents
Do enough to see some depth: This should be a game for FSU to test its depth and see how ready some younger players or guys battling for reps are. If the game goes how it's expected, there is even an opportunity for the backup quarterback battle to take place on the field, with Kevin Sperry and Malachi Marshall potentially getting snaps. No team can overlook an opponent, but after scoring 36 on Alabama, FSU should have enough firepower to allow its depth players to earn some reps.
Alignment, alignment, alignment: It's one of the biggest buzzwords in college sports, but for now, it applies to the Seminoles defense, which is ranked near the bottom of FBS programs this season. Norvell wants to see his defense aligned properly and communicate effectively against Central Arkansas, particularly in the secondary. And if that can't happen, the defensive unit needs to take a long, hard look into why.
The Pick
The Seminoles should be able to get through parents' weekend comfortably, but that doesn't mean the team should drop its guard. A win would be FSU's second of the season, and an offensive outburst could prove Norvell has cracked a formula that works on that side of teh ball. Defensively, I don't expect to learn much from this game, and anything short of expectations will lead to some significant questions about that side of the ball. All that said, FSU enjoys a big win in front of a typically passionate parents' weekend crowd.
The Pick: FSU 56, Central Arkansas 13
Florida State football schedule 2026
(Current Record 1-2, 0-1 ACC)
vs. New Mexico State | 34-17 W
vs. SMU* | 27-24 L
Bye
at Alabama | 50-36 L
vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26
vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3
at Louisville* | Oct. 9
at Miami* | Oct. 17
Bye
vs. Clemson* | Oct. 31
at Boston College* | Nov. 7
at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13
vs. NC State* | Nov. 21
vs. Florida | Nov. 27
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football can get in the win column vs. Central Arkansas: Our prediction