The ACC still has four teams keeping a spotless record in 2025, but that number will shrink this weekend as one of them has to survive a tricky road test at Scott Stadium. No. 8 Florida State makes the trip to Charlottesville for a Friday night clash with Virginia, looking to keep its perfect start intact.
The Seminoles head into conference play on a serious high after steamrolling Kent State 66–10. That blowout wasn't just lopsided on the scoreboard—it was historic. FSU rumbled for a program-best 498 rushing yards and eclipsed 700 total yards for the second straight outing. With a stable of explosive ball-carriers and versatile backs complementing dual-threat quarterback Tommy Castellanos, the ground game has become the team’s calling card.
Virginia, though, isn’t exactly limping into this one. The Cavaliers thumped Stanford 48–20 in their last outing, showing off a balanced offense that can hit defenses in a variety of ways. That kind of win breeds confidence, and Tony Elliott’s group will need every ounce of it against the Seminoles.
Expect Virginia to try and leverage its home-field advantage while leaning into a more aggressive identity, mixing tempo, tinkering with schemes, and testing whether FSU can handle a physical fight under the lights.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Florida State vs Virginia NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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Florida State vs Virginia: Date and kick-off time
The Seminoles will take on the Cavaliers in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 7:00 pm ET or 4:00 pm PT at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.
| Date | Friday, September 26, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 7:00 pm ET or 4:00 pm PT |
| Venue | Scott Stadium |
| Location | Charlottesville, Virginia |
How to watch Florida State vs Virginia on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming service: Fubo
Streaming the game with a VPN
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Florida State vs Virginia team news & key players
Florida State Seminoles team news
Florida State will want to hit the gas from the opening whistle in this one. With Tommy Castellanos capable of hurting defenses both on the ground and through the air, the Seminoles have plenty of ways to stretch Virginia thin, especially against a Cavalier secondary that's shown vulnerability to big plays downfield.
The formula is simple: stay clean on third downs, take care of the football, and punish Virginia whenever they get too aggressive. If FSU's offensive line continues to clear running lanes and give Castellanos a clean pocket when needed, they'll be in control of the pace from the jump.
On the other side of the ball, the Seminoles' defense has to stay sharp. Virginia's attack is balanced and creative, mixing in play-action shots and matchup plays to try and keep defenses guessing. Florida State's priority will be to stay disciplined, contain the edges, and force Virginia to grind for every inch.
This game tilts in FSU's favor if they can keep it from becoming a back-and-forth track meet — their best shot at winning is pounding the trenches, limiting big plays, and putting the squeeze on Virginia early.
Virginia Cavaliers team news
For the Cavaliers, the plan is clear: muddy up FSU's rhythm. If healthy, Chandler Morris gives Virginia a quarterback who can stretch the field, and pairing him with playmakers like Trell Harris adds some pop to their passing game. Still, the Cavs may lean on patience — using the ground game to keep Florida State honest, set up play action, and slow down the Seminoles' pass rush. The danger, of course, is negative plays or giveaways, which FSU's defense has thrived on. Sustaining long drives and converting in clutch third-down spots will be key if Virginia wants to hang around.
Defensively, stopping Florida State's run game has to be priority number one. The Seminoles’ rushing attack has been borderline unstoppable so far, and if Virginia can’t clog lanes at the line of scrimmage, they'll risk being worn down quickly. Edge discipline, tight coverage in the back end, and pressure on Castellanos when he tries to extend plays are all must-haves.
If Virginia's front can force the Noles into obvious passing downs and make Castellanos uncomfortable, they've got a shot to flip the script. In a matchup this tight, turnovers and penalties could be the difference between pulling off an upset and simply surviving four quarters.