Florida State (1-2, 0-1 ACC) will host the Central Arkansas Bears Saturday afternoon for the Seminoles’ annual Family Weekend and Hall of Fame recognition events at a sold-out Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.
Central Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 UAC) is 3-18 all-time against FBS teams since moving up to the FCS level in 2006. The Bears and Seminoles have never played; however, the head coaches share a bond as both
are UCA alumni and were teammates. Brown was the Bears QB (2004-08), while Norvell (2001-05) was a WR.
Brown threw two TD passes to Norvell during the 2005 season; the first was Brown’s first TD pass as a Bear. Brown is first on the UCA career passing list with 1,267 passes completed, 10,558 yards, and 100 TDs. Norvell was inducted into the Central Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. He broke the school’s career receptions record with 213 for 2,611 yards and 15 touchdowns and still ranks second in program history in receptions.
On offense, Bears QB Donovyn Omolo has thrown for 671 yards on 100 attempts with a long of 53 yards and six TDs. He also leads the team in rushing with 360 net yards, a long of 44, and two TDs, while Jalen Washington has 298 net yards rushing, two TDs, and a long of 71. The top receivers are Dakarai Anderson, who has caught 20 passes for 166 yards and one TD, and Ty Durham with 17 catches for 149 yards and two TDs.
Ashtyn Williams leads the defense with 47 total tackles (2nd in FCS), 19 solo, and one sack. Bryson Adamoh has three interceptions, one returned for a TD.
The Bears have three players on the preseason All-UAC teams; all three play on the defensive side of the ball.
- Trevion Traylor started all 12 games last season and finished with 41 total tackles, including 18 solo stops and 23 assists, and eight tackles for loss.
- Ashtyn Williams started all 12 games and ranked second on the team with 70 total tackles. He totaled 36 solo tackles and 34 assists while adding two tackles for loss and one pass breakup.
- Marcus Washington also started all 12 games and finished with 62 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and 28 assists, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry, and five pass breakups.
UCA Kicker Caleb Jones is 5-for-6 on field goal attempts, with a long of 46 yards.
The Seminoles are coming off their second straight loss after jumping out to a 21-6 lead against eighth-ranked Alabama before giving up 3 touchdowns in the final 2:40 of the second quarter. FSU’s defense allowed the Tide to score on nine consecutive drives after forcing three-and-outs on their first two drives to open the game. The Seminoles’ 36 points scored at Alabama are the most the Tide have allowed in a nonconference game in Tuscaloosa since 2000.
For the season, the Noles’ offense is ranked 71st in total offense, 74th in the nation in 3rd down conversions with just a 40.9% rate on 18-of-44 attempts, and tied for 72nd in scoring offense with a 31.3-point average per game.
FSU’s struggling 135th-ranked total defense has given up more yards than any other power conference team this season, allowing 490 total yards per game, 341 passing yards per game (137th out of 138 FBS teams), and ranking 129th in third-down percentage, allowing opponents to convert almost 52% of the time on third-down attempts.
Florida State is trending as a 45.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 62.5 points according to FanDuel.
- Read what your TOMAHAWK NATION PROGNOSTICATORS think about this Saturday’s showdown.
- Then look over and digest all the FREE PRE-GAME CONTENT we’ve posted leading up to this game.
- We would love to hear your thoughts about how you feel about this game and your final score prediction in the comments.
- Curt Weiler (season record: 3-0, 1-2 ATS)
Another empty-calorie win which won’t convince or satisfy anyone is on the way. The best hope is that we can see Malachi Marshall’s debut if this game gets more out of hand than the New Mexico State game did.
FSU 48, Central Arkansas 13
- NoleThruandThru (season record: 3-0)
I’m just so I don’t get fined — and to annoy TimberGhost57:
“Why is Nolethruandthru on the staff? His no comment bit is old and unfunny.”
FSU 41 Central Arkansas 20
- Jessi Wynn (season record: 3-0)
Florida State returns home this weekend to take on Central Arkansas, but it will do so without Sam Singleton Jr., who has been a strong offensive weapon for the Seminoles. With Singleton out, this feels like an opportunity for some of the other offensive playmakers to step up, make their presence felt and help FSU build some momentum.
Even with Singleton sidelined, I expect the Seminoles to have plenty of opportunities to showcase their depth and strengths on both sides of the ball in front of the home crowd.
FSU 52, Central Arkansas 10
- Jon Marchant (season record: 2-0)
We now have a pretty good idea of what this team is, and what it is not. The offense hovers somewhere around just below average while the defense is one of the worst in the country.
This should be the week Norvell sees what he has in Malachi Marshall by giving him the starting nod. That’s not going to happen but we may still see him toward the end of the contest.
Fans will probably forever hate the 3-3-5 scheme after this experience but the scheme isn’t the issue. The issues are pretty much everything else, from talent to coaching to playcalling and player execution.
Still, FSU gets back to .500 in a contest where the opponents won’t be able to take advantage of FSUs weaknesses.
FSU 44, C. Arkansas 13
- Jacob Smith (season record: 3-0)
It’s their FCS opponent and I have absolute confidence FSU will get back to .500. There isn’t much else to add – UCA will simply be outclassed in every conceivable way imaginable. Might as well do the funny number here because it’s entirely plausible that it’ll happen.
FSU 67, UCA 9
- Tim Scribble (season record: 3-0)
FSU should coast in this game. All eyes will be on the backup quarterback play and how much Norvell lets them throw.
No word on if FSU will sport cornrow helmets in honor of Norvell.
FSU 45, UCA 6
- LastNoleOfKrypton (season record: 3-0)
Get out, stay healthy, and get young guys like Kevin Wynn more reps because you’re going to need him.
FSU 59, UCA 10
- Jordan Silversmith (season record: 3-0)
I’m not sure if this game for Florida State comes at a great time or a poor time with a gauntlet ACC schedule to go, but it will be nice to have a stress-free Saturday before ACC play kicks into high gear.
The main question about this game is when Ashton Daniels is done for the day and who steps in to deputize him. If Daniels plays the full 60 minutes, something will have gone very wrong. Enjoy the first official fall Saturday in Tallahassee, because who knows how many of them will be left after this one.
FSU 49, Central Arkansas 10
- Matt Minnick (season record: 3-0, 2-1 ATS)
Florida State has what they hope to be a “get-right” game ahead of a brutal stretch that includes two teams ranked in the top 16 and a third team that was ranked as recent as last week, all in a 15 day span. There’s a non-zero chance this is the final win for Mike Norvell at FSU. (And if FSU doesn’t win against Norvell’s alma mater, it would most likely be his final game).
FSU fell apart in the second half last week but they still did enough to cover the 19.5 point spread, giving me my first ATS loss this year. Norvell’s offense honestly did a lot well against Bama, with a nice mix of steady run game and explosive passes through the air. And despite putting 36 points on the board, it felt like there was probably still at least two touchdowns left on the field. The defense, on the other hand, was abysmal. And there’s not a single shred of evidence to indicate it will be much improved anytime soon.
While I don’t expect this game to ever truly feel in doubt, I also don’t believe the FSU defense can hold any opponent in the single digits—even an FCS team. And that makes it tough to cover 45.5.
FSU 54, Central Arkansas 14
- Frank DaNole (season record: 1-2)
This will finally be the game when everything comes together for the Noles, considering the level of their opponent.
I expect the game to be in garbage time by the 3rd quarter, and for the first time this season, the 2nd and 3rd team Seminole players should get significant playing time in preparation for the beginning of their ACC schedule next week.
My concern is that Norvell will take his foot off the gas against his alma mater when the game is in hand and not let the backups use the entire playbook.
FSU Seminoles 59, Arkansas Cornrows 17
- Perry Kostidakis (season record: 2-1, 2-1 ATS)
While I’m prepared to have my face dripping with yolk come Saturday evening, I really do expect this to be a whistle-to-whistle blowout. Even if the defense falters and looks up to par with its usual self despite the talent differential, the offense is capable of putting up points and looks to be in a much better spot than it was in the Seminoles’ season-opener. If things play out how they should, we’ll get our first glimpse of Malachi Marshall in a Florida State uniform. And if you’re offering me a worry-free win and a potential glimmer of hope, I’ll take that all day (which, really, says a lot about where FSU is at the moment).
FSU 54, Central Arkansas 12
Florida State Seminoles vs. Central Arkansas
Pre-Game Coverage from Tomahawk Nation
- Column: Ahead of Hall of Fame induction, reflecting on Dave Hart’s legacy as FSU athletic director
- “Confidential — Do Not Distribute”: Inside ACC’s campaign for the Protect College Sports Act
- Media: Mike Norvell on Central Arkansas week: “I expect us to play our best game”
- 3 stats that show why Florida State came up short against Alabama
- Florida State’s lack of depth underscores poor offseason personnel decisions
- Column: FSU’s stars shined against Alabama; it wasn’t nearly enough
- How To Watch: FSU vs. Central Arkansas: How to watch, stream
- TN Staff Predictions: Florida State Seminoles vs. Central Arkansas Bears
- Media Monday: Mike Norvell, Tim Harris Jr. and Tony White recap Alabama loss, turn the page to Central Arkansas
- Duce Robinson named Shrine Bowl Offensive Player of the Week
- Positions: 2026 FSU football position previews
- Florida State fires Athletic Director Michael Alford
- Mike Norvell’s FSU salary, buyout info
Florida State Seminoles vs. Central Arkansas Bears: How to watch, stream, odds
Date
- Saturday, September 26th
Time
- 3:00 p.m. ET
Watch/Stream
- Channel: ACCN
- Stream: WatchESPN| ESPN App
Listen
- Seminoles Radio Network
- FSU Broadcast: Ch. 173 or 234 |SXM App
Spread
- -45.5, Florida State
Over/Under
- 62.5 points
Weekly Tomahawk Nation Member Guest Picker
This week’s TN member guest picker is a long-time TN member BobLoblaw113 who just celebrated his 15th anniversary since joining on September 22, 2011 at 6:32 p.m.
Before getting to the prediction, just a quick side-by-side team comparison.
Team A:
519.1 yards per game
315.9 passing yards per game
203.2 rushing yards per game
7.8 yards per play
47.9 points per game (against P4 opponents)
Team B:
530.7 yards per game
306 passing yards per game
224.7 rushing yards per game
7.9 yards per play
39 points per game
Team A is the 2013 FSU offense, led by a Heisman QB, and was one of the most prolific offenses in NCAA history. Team B is the average of what the last three P4 opponents have done against Tony White’s defense. Yes, it really is that bad.
Luckily we do not face a P4 offense this week, and the outcome of this game shouldn’t be in question. FSU has better athletes at every position on the field, and I fully expect them to look the part against a hopelessly overmatched foe. From the (admittedly little) I’ve watched of Central Arkansas, their best player looks to be QB Donovyn Omolo. He has decent mobility and is an effective passer if the first read is available, but if not, he tends to bail on the play quickly. Even a historically bad FSU defense shouldn’t have much trouble against this offense.
On the other side of the ball, I’m hoping to see a couple of quick scores to get ahead and then for Norvell to treat the rest of the contest as a passing game scrimmage against a live opponent. I think we’ll see a healthy dose of Tre Wisner with Singleton being sidelined and should reach the end of the depth chart for most of the offense.
FSU will cruise to an easy win, and it looks like it’s shaping up to be a beautiful fall day in Tallahassee. Let’s put the rest of the program’s issues aside and enjoy a victorious Saturday.
FSU wins 59-13.
*The TN member with the closest final score prediction in the comment section below will be given the opportunity to be a guest picker later this season if they are interested in participating.
