No. 25 Florida State vs. Pittsburgh
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee
When: Saturday, noon
TV: ESPN
Weather: 78 degrees, 20% rain chance
Favorite: FSU by 10.5 points
Coaches: Mike Norvell is 36-29 at FSU (74-44 overall); Pat Narduzzi is 75-58 at Pittsburgh (75-58)
Quick slant: Pittsburgh is 47-37 in ACC regular-season games since Narduzzi arrived in 2015. FSU is 41-41 in ACC regular-season games, after a 1-7 mark in 2024 and an 0-2 to start this season. Pitt all-purpose back Desmond Reid is questionable but a difference-maker if he can play. The Miami Gardens native hasn’t played since a Sept. 13 overtime loss to West Virginia.
About FSU (3-2, 0-2): QB Tommy Castellanos already has five interceptions but is stretching the field, leading the ACC in yards per completion (16). Tight end Randy Pittman, wide receiver Squirrel White and safety Ashlynd Barker are questionable for the game. The Seminoles’ defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown in five games.
About Pittsburgh (3-2, 1-1): The Panthers made the shift to true freshman QB Mason Heintschel and routed Boston College 48-7, racking up 503 offensive yards last week. Pitt has 47 tackles for loss in five games (fifth in the FBS) and 16 sacks (tied for 12th in the FBS). Panthers receiver Deuce Spann, a St. Petersburg native and an FSU transfer, has nine catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. He had just 15 catches in 2021 (at Illinois) as well as 2022-24 (at FSU).
3 things to watch
Limit the turnovers: This one is easy. FSU has been living dangerously, committing six turnovers in losses to Virginia and Miami. It could have been worse: Castellanos fumbled out of bounds near Virginia’s goal line, and Pittman recovered Duce Robinson’s fumble deep in FSU’s end against Miami. While Castellanos likes to take risks, he must manage them. And running backs must be more cognizant that defensive players will punch the football loose.
2. Make Pitt’s QB uncomfortable: FSU has 78 pressures in 2025 but only five against Miami’s massive offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. The Seminoles haven’t been able to rack up sacks (11, which ranks 57th in FBS) but they had been succeeding in pressuring quarterbacks. Heintschel is making his first college road start, and it’s critical the Seminoles pressure him or swat away a few passes.
3. Derail the difference-makers: Reid could return for Pitt, and it could significantly change the Panthers’ offensive attack. But Pitt also has had three 100-yard receivers in Raphael Williams (six catches, 119 yards at West Virginia), Cataurus Hicks (4 for 113 yards, one TD vs. Louisville) and Kenny Johnson (9 for 115 yards, one TD vs. BC). The challenge for FSU is keeping up with all of Pitt’s potential options.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/10/game-time-fast-facts-odds-keys-to-no-25-fsu-vs-pittsburgh/
