There’s a lot less at stake in this year’s Florida State/Louisville matchup than there was in 2016.

The Seminoles hope the outcome is a lot different, too.

The 2-3 ‘Noles go for their second consecutive win Saturday against a Cardinals team that has lost two straight games, both to Atlantic Coast Conference foes.

One year ago, 10th-ranked Louisville virtually ended 2nd-ranked Florida State’s hopes for a national title when the Cardinals rolled to a 63-20 victory in Kentucky.

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson ran wild on the Seminoles that day, rushing for 146 yards and four touchdowns to complement his 216 passing yards and touchdown toss.

It was the game that solidified Jackson’s push for the Heisman trophy, which he eventually won.

“That game’s over with,” Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said.  “Different team, different place.  You know what they’re capable of.  You know that guy (Jackson) that has the ball, that guy is the most dynamic player in college football, because when you do everything right, you can’t get him sometimes.”

Jackson continues to pile up the numbers (690 rush yards, 10 TD, 2,322 pass yards, 16 TD, 5 INT), but he hasn’t been as efficient as he was early last season when the Cardinals (4-3) were on the rise.

Fisher has a strategy that he feels comfortable with going against the reigning Heisman winner.

Unfortunately, it’s not a legal one.

“Yeah, see if you can get 13 guys on the field,” Fisher joked.  “Get an extra guy on either end and come off.  That would be the best way to do it.”

The best defense for the Seminoles in Saturday’s game, which kicks off at noon inside of Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, will likely be a good offense.

Fortunately, Florida State has jump started the dead battery that was its running game over the past few weeks.

The ‘Noles have increased their rushing total in each of the past five games, highlighted by a season-best 228 yard effort against Duke in a 17-10 win last week.

The main reason for this trend has been the increased use and production of true freshman Cam Akers (379 rush yards, TD), who has had back-to-back 100 yard games over the past two weeks (121 yards vs. Miami, 115 yards vs. Duke).

“All of the sudden, that road’s taking you where you’ve got to go, and now the big runs are starting to come,” Fisher said of Akers, who he commended for doing a better job of reading his blocking schemes.

Timber Creek High School graduate Jacques Patrick has also run the ball well recently, with more than 90 yards in each of the past three games.

The Seminoles have injuries at wide receiver, but they feel good about who’s on the field with Oak Ridge High School alum Nyqwan Murray breaking out for a team-best five receptions for 81 yards against the Blue Devils and Wharton High School grad Auden Tate hauling in a touchdown in each of the first five games.

All of Florida State’s offensive weapons will need to be in sync to knock off a Louisville team that’s averaging more than 38 points per game and ranked seventh in the nation in passing offense, with wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (541 receiving yards, 7 TD) serving as Jackson’s favorite target.

 

KEY MATCHUP:

LAMAR JACKSON VS. FLORIDA STATE LINEBACKERS

It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is for the Seminoles to contain the explosive Jackson.

The Seminoles are 1-2 in their history against reigning Heisman Trophy winners, and they’ll have to be on their game to avoid adding another loss to that tally.

Superstar safety Derwin James (Haines City HS) may be tasked with shadowing Jackson at times, but it will ultimately be up to the linebackers to keep the Louisville quarterback from making big plays with his legs.

Florida State senior linebacker Jacob Pugh had one of his best nights as a Seminole two years ago in Louisville’s last visit to Tallahassee.

He sacked Jackson twice and picked up seven tackles in that game, and he followed it up with two more tackles for a loss last season.

Senior Matthew Thomas and the other Seminoles linebackers will need to be equally sharp.

 

X-FACTOR:

JAMES BLACKMAN- FLORIDA STATE

True freshman quarterback James Blackman has made great progress in every game, and he was at the peak of his powers most of the day against Duke, going 18-21 for 197 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions.

Blackman has been a cool customer for a freshman, and came up clutch with his game-winning touchdown toss at Wake Forest.

He’ll likely need to up his yardage total and be more aggressive to keep pace with Jackson and Louisville’s electric offense.

Blackman must have his best game to date if the Seminoles are to emerge victorious.

 

THE PICK:

LOUISVILLE 33, FLORIDA STATE 27

The Cardinals will only need about half of the points they got last season to pull the win in Tallahassee.

Jackson’s numbers will look good, and he’ll do just enough to get the job done.

Ultimately, the Seminoles don’t have enough offensive firepower right now to get involved in a shootout with anyone- especially when that opponent has arguably the most dynamic player in college football running the show.