Cal (3-0) will play its first ACC game ever when it faces Florida State at sold-out Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday night.

Here is the important information on the game:

CAL (3-0) Vs. FLORIDA STATE (0-3)

SITE: Doak S. Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida

WHEN: Saturday, 4 p.m. Pacific time (7 p.m. Eastern time)

TV: ESPN2 – Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Sam Acho (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)

RADIO: 810 AM and Sirius XM Radio (Sirius XM 113 and 202) — Justin Allegri (play-by-play), Mike Pawlawski (analyst), Kevin Danna (sideline reporter)

BETTING LINE: Florida State is favored by 2.5 points. Over/under is 44.5 points.

WEATHER FORECAST: Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee will be sunny with a high of 90 degrees, but the temperature will fall to about 84 degrees by game time and will drop to 78 degrees by the time the game is over Saturday night. Humidity will be about 76% Saturday night with a 4% chance of rain.

CAL-FLORIDA STATE HISTORY: Cal and Florida State have never faced each other on the football field.

CAL PLAYER AVAILABILTY: Cal running back Jaydn Ott (ankle) probably will play after missing last week’s game.  Two projected offensive line starters – guard Sioape Vatikani and center Will McDonald – will probably play for the first time after missing the first three games with injuries. Starting outside linebacker David Reese is likely to play after missing last week’s game. Cal’s projected starting wide receivers Tobias Merriweather and Kyion Grayes will miss their fourth straight games because of injuries, and nickelback Matthew Littlejohn is doubtful.

CAL STORYLINES

–Cal will play its first ACC game ever on Saturday and will have to travel 2,200 miles to do it.  Cal won its first road game after a long trip this season, beating Auburn 21-14, and Bears coach Justin Wilcox says his team “enjoys” the long flights. The team departed for Tallahassee on Thursday, players were expected to take care of academics on Friday, and Cal plays the game Saturday night. The last time Cal played a game in Florida was January 1, 1992, when the Bears defeated Clemson in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

–Cal is coming off a 31-10 victory over San Diego State and is hoping to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2019.  After the Bears won their fourth game in 2019, they were ranked 15th in the country, but they then lost four games in a row and finished the season 8-5, including a bowl-game win over Illinois. Cal received votes in both the AP and coaches top-25 polls this week, but the Bears are still a long way from getting a top-25 ranking.

–Cal running back Jaydn Ott, a first-team all-Pac-12 selection last year, probably will play Saturday after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury. He had just 49 rushing yards in the opener against UC Davis and just 11 yards on 10 carries the next week against Auburn when he appeared to be slowed by the injury.  If Ott cannot play, sophomore Jaivian Thomas will get most of the playing time at running back, and he rushed for 169 yards last week against San Diego State.

–Cal has recorded nine interceptions, which lead the nation, and its 10  takeaways overall are tied for the most in the country.  The Bears’ plus-eight turnover margin (10 takeaways, 2 turnovers) are tied for the second-most in the country.

–Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza was sacked six times last week against San Diego State, and the Bears have allowed nine sacks for the season. The Bears need to provide better pass protection in Saturday’s game against Florida State, which has recorded six sacks.

–Mendoza has started each of Cal’s first three games, and backup Chandler Rogers did not play at all last week.  Mendoza has completed  70.1 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception, and his passer rating of 143.7 ranks ninth in the ACC.

–Cal’s running game has not been as productive as expected, ranking 11th in the ACC in rushing yards per attempt (4.18). The Bears used a two-tight-end set for much of the second half against San Diego State, and their running game improved.  Look for more two-tight-end sets against Florida State, which has struggled to stop the run.

–Cal kicker Ryan Coe is 2-for-6 on field goal attempts his season, but Justin Wilcox says he still has confidence in Coe.

FLORIDA STATE STORYLINES

–The Seminoles began the season ranked No. 10 in the national polls, but after losing to Memphis 20-12 last week, they are 0-3 for only the second time since 1976. The other time was 2021, also under coach Mike Norvell, when FSU started 0-4 and finished 5-7.

–This will be the third ACC game for Florida State, which has lost to Georgia Tech and Boston College. The Seminoles can’t afford to lose any more conference games if they hope to win the ACC title and reach the College Football Playoff.  A CFP berth is already a long shot for the Seminoles.

–Florida’s Sate biggest problem this season has been its offense. The Seminoles rank 124th of 134 FBS teams in scoring (15.3 points per game), 128th in total offense (274.0 yards per game), 133rd in rushing offense (52.0 yards per game) and 131st in rushing yards per attempt (2.20). The Seminoles are last in the ACC is all those categories. They are 12th in in the ACC in passing offense at 222.0 yards per game.

–Two current Florida State players played against Cal last year as members of Oregon State’s team. Seminoles starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had a big game against Cal in 2023, completing 19-of-25 passes for 275 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in Oregon State’s 52-40 victory over Cal. Sione Lolohea, a backup defensive end for Florida State this year, had four tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Oregon State against the Bears last year. “Obviously, DJ, being a quarterback who’s played against this team’s defensive coordinator, he’s got a familiarity, but you know it’s still this year’s team, and you know how they’re utilizing personnel,” FSU Mike Norvell said.

–Uiagalelei ranks 16th in the ACC in passer rating (112.4) and has thrown two interceptions and one touchdown pass. He is scheduled to be Florida State’s starting quarterback against Cal.  Uiagalelei is playing for his third FBS team, starting at Clemson before moving on to Oregon State and now Florida State.

–Florida State ranks 83rd in the country in scoring defense (24.0 points per game), 76th in total defense (347.3 yards per game), 103rd in rushing defense (172.7 yards per game), 104th in rushing yards allowed per attempt (4.32) and 120th in passer rating defense (111.4).

–Florida State has sued the ACC regarding grant of rights agreement obligations, because the Seminoles would like to withdraw from the conference. Clemson is following a similar path while seeking to withdraw from the ACC. Also, Florida State and Clemson are engaging in talks with the ACC with the hope of increasing their share of ACC revenue.

—A Florida State beat writer answers five questions about the Seminoles—

CAL PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Fernando Mendoza (5 TD passes, 1 interception); RB Jaydn Ott (just 60 rushing yards in two games); RB Jaivian Thomas (7.8 yards per carry); CB Nohl Williams (4 interceptions, tops in the nation); ILB Teddye Buchanan (31 tackles, 4 tackles for loss); WR Nyziah Hunter (4 TD receptions)

FLORIDA STATE PLAYERS TO WATCH: DJ Uiagalelei (56.57% completion rate, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown); S Shyheim Brown (21 tackles in 2 games, missed last week’s game, expected to play against Cal); WR Malik Benson (5 receptions, 99 yards vs. Memphis last week); RB Lawrence Toafili (5.2 yards per carry); DT Joshua Farmer (preseason all-ACC, 2.5 tackles for loss); K Ryan Fitzgerald (3-for-3 on field goals of 50 yards or more this year, with a long of 59 yards)

—Click here for a detailed look at Florida State’s football and basketball programs and the school’s history—

CAL STATISTICS: Click here

CAL NOTES, DEPTH CHART: Click Here

FLORIDA STATE STATISTICS: Click here

JAKE’S PICK: Cal 21, Florida State 20

JEFF’S PICK: Cal 24, Florida State 17

PETER HOLLAND’S PICK (Tallahassee Democrat): Florida State 20, Cal 17 (Overtime)

TICKETS: Sold out. Stub Hub: Click here: 

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Florida State remains winless ahead of Week 4 of the 2024 season with the program looking to prevent its first 0-4 start since 2021. The Seminoles will conclude an early three-game homestand with a conference matchup against the undefeated Cal Golden Bears. After officially joining the ACC over the summer, the Golden Bears will play their first conference game on the road in Tallahassee.

Cal is 3-0 with an impressive win on the road at Auburn and home victories against UC Davis (FCS) and San Diego State. Head coach Justin Wilcox has the Golden Bears off to their best start since 2019 in what marks his eighth year guiding the program. The team has a chance to make a statement with a potential win against Florida State on the road.

Game Preview: Florida State Seminoles vs. California Golden Bears

The Golden Bears are bringing in one of the best defenses in the country. Cal is only allowing 288.7 yards and 12.3 points per game while tying for first in the nation with ten turnovers forced, including nine interceptions. On the other side of the ball, star running back Jaydn Ott is expected to play and backup Jaivian Thomas has averaged 7.8 yards per carry in his absence. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Miami native, has done a good job managing games, completing 61/87 passes (70.1%) for 589 yards with five touchdowns to one interception while adding one touchdown on the ground.

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Seminoles prepare to take on the Golden Bears.

I finally got my first score prediction “win” of the 2024 season though not in the way I was hoping. Once again, Florida State’s anemic offense could barely move the ball in an outing that wasted the best effort we’ve seen from the defense through three games. Obviously, quarterback play needs to be improved but the offensive line woes, drops, and perimeter blocking issues would make it tough for any signal-caller to have success for the Seminoles right now.

I do think the Seminoles had a better week of practice but that’s obviously something that can’t be trusted anymore. Cal, like Memphis, wants to come into Tallahassee and make a statement. It would certainly be something if the Golden Bears took down Florida State less than a year after it was revealed that FSU was among the teams to vote ‘no’ to the ACC’s new additions.

I’m in the same boat as last week heading into this one. Show me something to make me believe. That didn’t happen against Memphis and I’m not certain it’ll get any better against Cal. I’ll take the Golden Bears by double digits with a predictable outcome of DJ Uiagalelei and Florida State’s offense failing to consistently move the ball. Expect some boos in Doak Campbell Stadium.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Golden Bears 21, Seminoles 10

Better water break energy and the potential of Mike Norvell putting in a different quarterback is what is going to be my Disney magical miracle that gives me the reasoning to pick FSU. I’m expecting DJ Uiagalelei to be the starter but at some point, we’ll see Brock Glenn. But like I said, it will have to be a miracle to happen.

I believe in miracles. FSU gets their first win of the season.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Seminoles 21, Golden Bears 20

As I said last week, picking Florida State is futile until they prove they’re worth picking. I don’t care if the water breaks have been better (if you know, you know). I’m assuming this will be similar to the Georgia Tech and Boston College games, with Cal controlling the ball on the ground with limited possessions. The under seems like easy money here.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Golden Bears 23, Seminoles 15

The outlook in Tallahassee is certainly bleak. “Disappointment” is the word getting thrown around these days, and it’s hard to fight that label when you’re a long way from the Top 10 ranking and pre-season playoff expectations you once held. Problems are mounting for Norvell’s team and solutions appear to be few and far between. Through three games, the Florida State Seminoles are sitting winless, and with each passing week, the program strays further from the standard set forth by last year’s team. 

Despite coming off of a much-needed bye week, the Seminoles showcased little to no improvement when they returned to the field against the Memphis Tigers. Florida State’s rushing attack is borderline non-existent, sitting at 52.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 133rd in the country. Quarterback play has been the subject of incessant scrutiny, and while DJ Uiagalelei certainly isn’t the sole person to blame for offensive inconsistencies, his deficiencies are a substantial detractor. (Plus, Cal is one of the nation’s leaders in forcing INTs with 9) Put simply, an average QBR of 43.1 isn’t going to cut it for an offense that currently relies on the quarterback for most, if not all, of its production. The remaining production has come from K Ryan Fitzgerald. FSU will need its offense to find ways to both push the ball downfield and result in more than just field goals if it wishes to take down a Cal football team that is averaging 27.7 points per game. On the other side of the ball, the Seminole defense found more success shutting down the run, getting pressure in the backfield, and getting off of the field on critical third and fourth downs. However, mistakes and mental errors proved costly against the Tigers. The Florida State defense will need to avoid those errors and recreate exactly what it was that worked against the run, because the Golden Bears are cruising on the ground as of late. 

The California Golden Bears, on the other hand, are playing at a much higher level than most expected to begin the season. After defeating the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium, it would appear as though Cal head coach Justin Wilcox has his team more than prepared for the level of competition within the ACC. Wilcox’s team currently boasts an undefeated record, and while many are quick to discount their opponents, I just find it hard for us, as recent viewers of Florida State football, to just assume that those opponents are worse off across the board. The Golden Bears do not need to adapt their gameplay for the likes of this Seminoles squad. If they can continue to find the end zone, score upwards of their average points per game (27.7) and hold FSU to right around their average points against per game (12.3) [which is entirely feasible], then there’s no reason to believe the Seminoles will prove to be any different. Regardless, you can expect Cal to roll into Doak Campbell Stadium with the utmost confidence (if their Twitter fanbase isn’t already proof enough). 

Florida State and Cal will face off for the first time in the history of these two football programs, and the context could not be further from the pre-season expectation. The winless Seminoles are desperate for their first victory of 2024 and the undefeated Golden Bears are eager to begin ACC conference play on the right foot. Vegas oddsmakers are siding with the Seminoles at (-2.5) and ESPN’s matchup predictor gives FSU a 59.3% At this point, I truly don’t know what they’ve seen week in and week out to continue to give a slight edge to the ‘Noles. As many of my peers have stated, there’s no sense in predicting in favor of the Seminoles until they prove otherwise, and throughout the last few games and a handful of practices, they have not proven otherwise. The “homer” in me wants to secretly slide this prediction in here as a form of reverse psychology and buy-in to Justin Cryer’s emphatic statements that this team will get things right. On the other hand, I’m finding it hard to hang my hat on anything positive as of late. Even with the increased water break energy at practice (which gives FSU at least an extra Fitzgerald FG in my book), I think Cal is just playing cleaner, consistent football right now, and sometimes it’s just that simple. 

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Golden Bears 28, Seminoles 13

FSU opens up yet again as a favorite despite starting the season at 0-3 and being unable to translate practice performances to success on the field. There isn’t much to say. The Seminoles will have to put it together to beat Cal.

Cal leads the country this season in interceptions (9), and that, paired with FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei’s two picks in the last two games, could make it difficult for the Seminole offense to get going. There are questions on the offensive line for the ‘Noles, and they have yet to prove anything on defense in the run game.

Meanwhile, Cal boasts a heavy rushing attack and will return starter Jaydn Ott, who is coming off an injury. Their backup running back, Jaivian Thomas, had a monster game against San Diego State, where he rushed for 169 yards on 17 carries. Florida State will have its hands full, and although I don’t expect a blowout, I don’t expect FSU to be 1-3 when it is all said and done.

Will having offensive coordinator Alex Atkins back make the difference? Time will tell, but I can’t predict a Florida State win until they prove it on the field.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 0-3

Golden Bears 24, Seminoles 20

Another disappointment is brewing in Tallahassee. The Seminoles’ offense is reaching disastrous levels after putting up just 12 points on Memphis. Cal is putting together a strong start to their season, with Florida State doing the opposite. Until Mike Norvell’s squad proves they can win a game, it’s easy to pick against them.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Golden Bears 24, Seminoles 17

If you had told me a month ago that I would be picking Cal to beat FSU I would have laughed, but here we are. Through three games, Cal has done what they need to do to win, and although their offense hasn’t been particularly dominant, as they have averaged just under 28 points per game against relatively easy opponents, the Seminoles haven’t done any better, averaging 16 points per game, with a worse offensive performance each week. 

I can’t emphasize enough how important turnovers will be on Saturday. Had FSU not turned the ball over three times against Memphis, the ‘Noles probably would have won the game assuming the 10 points Memphis scored during those possessions were taken off the board. Through three games, FSU has not won the turnover margin once, whereas Cal has seen the winning side of things in all three games they have played.  If FSU wants to win, they need to force turnovers rather than give the ball away.

I do see a different energy in the team, I don’t think it’s where it needs to be for them to be the dominant force they statistically should have been, but I think things are probably trending in the right direction. Even with that being said, this is going to be Cal’s Superbowl, and they have all the momentum they need to come in and upset the Seminoles.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Golden Bears 24, Seminoles 17

With the California Golden Bears coming to town, no one expected the 0-3 team to be Florida State. However, that’s the predicament the Seminoles find themselves in.The run game defense stepped up significantly last week against Memphis, but Cal maintains an even better ground attack. They also have the second best turnover margin in the country. FSU is in the bottom tier in that regard. Moreover, Florida State’s offense has been abysmal. I’m not the greatest evaluator of talent; maybe DJ Uiagalelei is performing better in practice than Brock Glenn or Luke Kromenhoek, but if things start going south against Cal, what do you have to lose? At some point, there needs to be a change to see if the offense can gain a spark.If things come to that point, the game will likely be out of reach anyway.

2024 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Golden Bears 34, Seminoles 20

CONSENSUS: California (7-1)

READ MORE: FSU Football Labeled Most Disappointing Program This Season

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football Throughout the 2024 Season

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• Florida State Releases Depth Chart For ACC Game Against Cal

•Three Key Matchups For FSU’s Game Against New ACC Foe Cal

• How To Watch Florida State vs. Cal: Kickoff Time, TV Channel, and Odds

• Mike Norvell Expects At Least One Starter Back For FSU This Weekend

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has arrested 24 public school students since the beginning of the academic year, for alleged written or online threats, according to authorities.

Polk County School District Superintendent Fred Heid announced the shocking number of arrests during a news conference Thursday, just weeks after a fatal shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia.

“Students will be arrested. They will be charged with a second-degree felony,” Heid said during the news conference covered by FOX 13 Tampa. “And from the school district’s perspective, we will pursue the fullest extent of the consequences for any student or any non-student member of our community who phones these in or posts something online or social media or email.”

Along with seeking criminal charges for students who make threats towards schools, Heid said the school district will seek restitution for any time and resources spent investigating the threats.

GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING SUSPECT’S MOM DEFENDS HER SON IN MESSAGE TO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd joined Heid during the news conference, and said there were 42 arrests made during the 2023-24 school year in which students made written threats against county schools.

So far this year, in just 28 days, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has made 24 arrests.

“That’s why we’re all standing up here today,” Judd said. “Because we can’t have any more of that.”

GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: SUSPECT’S FORMER NEIGHBORS RECOUNT HARROWING STORIES OF ALLEGED ABUSE, CHAOS

Officials announced Thursday that 24 students had been arrested since the start of the school year for making written threats online. (iStock)

Judd praised the app, Fortify Florida, which gives students the ability to immediately report suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies and school officials.

FOX 13 reported that Heid provided an explanation on why he believes there have been so many threats recently.

“I think, unfortunately, many of our students believe that social media is an appropriate place for them to try to garner attention,” the superintendent said. “As the sheriff put it, we investigate, and we complete more threat assessments than several others do because we do not diminish the expectation.”

COLIN GRAY, FATHER OF GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER, CHILD CRUELTY

Florida law enforcement and school officials announced Thursday that 24 students had been arrested since the start of the school year for making written threats online. (iStock)

The sheriff echoed Heid, adding that some kids go with the latest social media trends.

“We end up with these TikTok challenges; well we’ll TikTok you to jail if you follow those challenges. That’s the bottom line to it,” Judd said. “The overwhelming majority of the kids go, ‘Well that’s nuts, and I’m not going to do it.’ But a few of the kids say, ‘I’m nuts, and I’m gonna to do it,’ and then, we’re going to arrest them.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the school district.

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Still, the alternative to speaking about proactive measures would be the tragic result of not doing anything.

“I would much rather be standing here talking about this today than you saying, ‘Sheriff, school board, superintendent, you did nothing, and this kid’s been sending messages for months? And now he’s brought a gun to school and shot the school or shot up a kid at school,’” Judd said.