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Matchup Analysis and Prediction: No. 2 Florida State at No. 10 Louisville

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Complete breakdown, analysis, preview and prediction for FSU-Louisville

Quarterback Deondre Francois has been outstanding directing the Seminole offense so far in 2016. Through the first two games, the redshirt freshman has completed 69 percent of his pass attempts for an average of 340 yards a game. He has also done an great job of protecting the football with five touchdown passes and just one interception. Junior Travis Rudolph is Francois' top target; he leads FSU in receptions (13), yards (179) and touchdown catches (3). While the former Rivals100 signal-caller has lived up to expectations so far, Saturday will mark his first true road start. How he will perform in a hostile environment remains to be seen.

Louisville returns seven starters on defense, including three in the secondary. Last season, the Cardinals fielded a statistically average pass defense, finishing No. 45 in this category. On the upside, the defense was responsible for 17 interceptions -- by comparison, FSU recorded only eight picks last season. At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, senior safety Josh Harvey-Clemons is both difficult to throw on and serves as an enforcer in the secondary. Miami native Trumaine Washington is the top cover corner and will likely draw most of the match-ups with Rudolph.

MATCHUP: Florida State boasts a veteran and deep receiving unit that should be able to get open against the Cardinals' secondary. The bigger question is whether an inconsistent offensive line can give its rookie quarterback enough time to find open targets. What also isn't clear is how Francois will respond in a true road game.

WINNER: EVEN. While FSU appears to hold the overall advantage in this matchup, you have to consider the potential downside of a rookie quarterback getting his first road start against a quality opponent. Also, the offensive line has been inconsistent protecting the quarterback through the first two games.

The 'Noles are led by tailback Dalvin Cook, who set a school single-season record last year rushing for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns. The talented junior battled nagging injuries last season but is back fully healthy. He has added 12 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-11 frame. And Cook is backed up by another former five-star recruit, Jacques Patrick, who at 231 pounds provides more of a punch. So far in 2016, the running game hasn't been quite as explosive as expected; it is averaging 165 yards a game and 4.3 yards per carry.

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