No. 4 Florida State (8-0, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Pittsburgh (2-6, 1-3), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Line: Florida State by 21 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Pitt leads 6-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Seminoles can clinch their first appearance in the ACC championship game since 2014 if they can avoid a letdown against the reeling Panthers. Pitt needs to win out to avoid missing a bowl game for just the second time in coach Pat Narduzzi’s nine seasons. That could be asking for a lot following a 58-7 blowout loss to Notre Dame.
KEY MATCHUP
Pitt’s offensive line vs. Florida State’s front seven. Injuries and shaky play have wreaked havoc on a unit that is typically a strength for the Panthers. Sophomore QB Christian Veilleux spent most of the Notre Dame game running away from defenders, leading to poor throws that turned into interceptions. For Pitt to have any chance, they need to protect Veilleux and open holes for a running game that is dead last in the ACC (104.3 yards per game).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida State: QB Jordan Travis. The senior has accounted for multiple touchdowns in a program-record 15 straight games. With Pitt likely to blitz frequently — leaving their cornerbacks in one-on-one coverage — there’s a chance for Travis to surpass Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston for second on the school’s all-time touchdown pass list. Travis needs three TD passes to move past Winston, who had 65 during his career with the Seminoles.
Pitt: TE Gavin Bartholomew. The junior tight end is by far the Panthers’ best offensive weapon, though he has basically disappeared in recent weeks. Bartholomew didn’t have a catch against Notre Dame and was only on the field for 27 snaps, a number coach Narduzzi called too few.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Seminoles were fourth in the initial College Football Playoff rankings released this week. … Florida State has won 14 straight games, the longest active streak in the ACC and third-longest in the country. … The Seminoles are the only FBS team in the nation to hold opposing QBs to under 50% completion percentage (49.4). Florida State didn’t allow a passing touchdown in October. … The Seminoles are averaging an ACC-best 41.5 points per game, good enough for sixth nationally. … Seminoles QB Jordan Travis has thrown a touchdown pass in 20 straight games, the school’s longest streak since Jameis Winston threw one in 27 consecutive games between 2013-14. … Florida State RB/KR Trey Benson is the only player in the country this season with an 80-yard TD reception and an 80-yard TD run. … Narduzzi began the week by apologizing for comments after Notre Dame in which he seemed to question the talent level on the roster. Narduzzi says the players understood his intended point and the matter is behind them. The effort level the Panthers come out with as a three-touchdown underdog could be telling on whether Narduzzi still has support inside the locker room. … Pitt’s last win over a team ranked inside the top five came in November 2017 when the Panthers upset then No. 2-ranked Miami.
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