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As the sports calendar changes to October, it will be a critical month for Florida State football (2-2, 0-1 in the ACC), beginning with Virginia (3-1, 1-0 in the ACC) on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Led by quarterback Beau Pribula, who has 11 touchdown passes this season and only one interception. He has completed 76.7 percent of his passes. Pribula will challenge the Seminoles' defensive secondary, which has just three interceptions this season. 

And, with Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White telegraphing his defensive game plan to the enemy, the Seminoles will start at a disadvantage against the Cavaliers.

Then there is the two-week road trip from hell, first to Louisville and then to Miami in consecutive weeks. Both teams deploy talented offenses that will challenge an inconsistent Florida State defense. 

Louisville Cardinals (Oct. 9)

Louisville (2-2, 1-1 in the ACC) has a 6-18 record vs. Florida State, with their most recent meeting coming in the ACC Championship Game in 2023, a 16-6 victory by the Seminoles. The Cardinals are ranked No. 18 in the FBS in total offense, with 486 yards of total offense per game. Their offense is led by Lincoln Kienholz, an Ohio Statetransfer. Keinholz can make plays with his arm (seven TDs) and with his legs (six rushing TDs). He is averaging 285 yards per game throwing the football. Running back Keyjuan Brown has averaged 9.30 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns through four games. 

No. 4 Miami Hurricanes (Oct. 17)

Miami (4-0, 2-0 in the ACC) is a juggernaut on offense, with Darian Mensah at quarterback and Malachi Toney at receiver. Together they are the most talented and productive QB/WR duo in college football. The Hurricanes boast a 37-33 record in the series history. The Canes have averaged 51.8 points per game, good enough for No. 3 nationally. 

The Hurricanes are No. 1 in total offense in the country and have averaged 588 yards per game and 8.53 yards per play. 

Mensah has passed for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns (No. 1 in the FBS) in four games this season, with zero interceptions. He has completed 88.7 percent of his passes, the top in the FBS.

Mensah’s favorite target is receiver Malachi Toney. Toney has caught 34 of Mensah’s passes for 564 yards and six touchdowns. He averages 141 receiving yards per contest.

Defensive secondary coaches Blue Adams and Evan Cooper have their work cut out for them over these next three weeks. The Seminoles must correct the miscommunication, coverage, and poor tackling issues that have plagued this defense all season. 

If they can do that, and split one of these road games, that would be a confidence builder, as well as spark momentum to build upon for the rest of the season. The priority is to secure a win over Virginia, which would be their first ACC win of the season.

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