NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions: Florida State Seminoles vs. North Alabama Lions
Florida State has reached the tail-end of its 2023 regular season as the team gears up for its home finale. The Seminoles will be celebrating their seniors and honoring members of the 2013 national championship team while trying to finish undefeated in Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time in eight years.
It's expected to be a one-sided affair with North Alabama traveling to Tallahassee. A member of the FCS, the Lions have compiled a 3-7 record under first-year head coach Brent Dearmon. They've lost five of their six games entering the contest against the Seminoles.
Sophomore quarterback Noah Walters leads the way on offense. He's completed 59.3% of his passes for 2,281 yards with 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions while also rushing 91 times for 370 yards and two more scores. Linebacker Edwin White Schulz is North Alabama's top tackler with 82 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick.
Our staff provides their analysis and predictions as the Seminoles prepare to take on the Lions.
Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)
The margin of victory wasn't necessarily what Florida State anticipated but the program still pulled out a big win against Miami. Any type of victory in a rivalry game, especially one to give the Seminoles their third straight win over the Hurricanes in the series, is massive.
There won't be much of an opportunity for style points this weekend. Instead, FSU will be focused on honoring the seniors and other members of the program who will play their final home games in garnet and gold. The change that players such as Jordan Travis, Fabien Lovett, Kalen DeLoach, Renardo Green and other Seminoles brought to the team over the last couple of years cannot be understated.
Though this is potentially a spot where Florida State could start slow with an FCS team sandwiched between its two biggest rivals, I think the 'Noles will be focused on taking care of business and getting out of this game quickly. Plus, the team wants to finish out its home slate on a high note for the seniors.
I expect the starters to be out by the middle of the third quarter at the latest. Seminole fans should get a good look at Tate Rodemaker and Brock Glenn against an overmatched North Alabama team.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 59, Lions 6
Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)
Sit back and enjoy Jordan Travis’ last game in Doak Campbell Stadium. Including Travis, this will likely be the last game at home for multiple stars like Keon Coleman, Trey Benson, and others while also giving appreciation to true seniors like Kalen Deloach and Akeem Dent.
Seminoles put them away early and we see Tate Rodemaker in the 3rd quarter.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 51, Lions 6
Austin Veazey (@EasyVeazeyNG)
This will not be a competitive game, barring some wild voodoo magic. Even then, I think Tate Rodemaker could come out throwing left-handed and they'd still win by five touchdowns. I can't imagine Coach Norvell shows anything on tape that Florida might pick up on, so I expect a very vanilla game plan to still be effective.
I'll say Coach Norvell finally gets his first spiked baseball while the offense is steady all day.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 69, Lions 0
Dillon Riera (@13d_riera)
We'll keep this one brief. Florida State is still riding the wave of its undefeated season into its 11th game of the 2023 season. With two games remaining on the schedule, the 'Noles will have to impress down the stretch to secure its trip to the College Football Playoff. This week's FCS opponent, North Alabama, may not provide them with the platform to do so, but the contest against the University of Florida next week just might. With that in mind, Mike Norvell and the Seminoles can utilize their final home game of the 2023 season against an FCS opponent as a tune-up of sorts in order to prepare for the spirited rivalry.
ESPN's FPI gives the 'Noles a 99% chance at victory, and I can confidently say that there will be no repeat of the Jacksonville State mishap the time around. The Seminoles are celebrating a great many things this week: their final home game of 2023, Jordan Travis and a handful of players' final home game, Senior Day, the 10th anniversary of the 2013 national championship, and the retirement of James Winston's jersey.
With everything going on, I believe FSU will be playing some inspired football on Saturday night. Once Osceola and Renegade ride out to midfield in front of a sold out home crowd and plant the spear for the final time this season, it'll be the 'Noles taking care of business with relative ease.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 52, Lions 10
Tommy Mire (@TommyM3III)
Let’s face it, there is no sugarcoating this one for the Lions - It’ll probably get pretty ugly. They have a talented wide receiver in Takairee Kenebrew who has nine scores on the season, but this is the biggest stage and the best defense they’ve seen all year.
Barring a total lapse in defense, their first points will likely come after all the starters have been pulled and the game is in garbage time. It’s Senior Day for the Seminoles, and I don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas for their last home game of the season in front of a sold-out crowd.
The seven points are probably too many, but I’m not sure how far down on the depth chart Florida State will get.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 59, Lions 7
Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)
The Seminoles are going to be able to dominate this game. With some Seminoles playing their last home game in Tallahassee, this game will be more about sending them off in style while getting the second string some reps heading into a big matchup.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 72, Lions 6
Robert Malcom (@kwrobertm)
As the Seminoles prepare to take the field one last time this season in front of a sold-out crowd, this game just feels bigger than it should be. While the North Alabama Lions sit 3-7 in the FCS, the Seminoles remain undefeated after their win against Miami, making them the only undefeated ACC team in the regular season.
As many seniors, including quarterback Jordan Travis, prepare to put on one final show for the home crowd, fans should expect big numbers on both offense and defense as the team will not only be playing for one more win, but will also honor the 2013 national championship team, and retire former FSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston's No. 5 jersey.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-0
Seminoles 48, Lions 3
CONSENSUS: Florida State (7-0)
READ MORE: Four-Star 2026 QB, Legacy Recruit Romin Seymour Visits FSU for Rivalry Win Over Miami
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season.
