Florida State lists nine players out, four of them linebackers, for Halloween game vs. Clemson

Florida State will play Clemson on Saturday night without nine players, and four of them are linebackers. That group was already thin. The initial availability reports came out Wednesday night, as Tomahawk Nation reported via SB Nation, ahead of the 7 p.m. Halloween kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles ruled out linebackers Blake Nichelson, Izayia Williams, Daylen Green and Noah LaVallee. Defensive backs Quindarrius Jones, Karson Hobbs and Jamari Howard are also out, along with running backs Samuel Singleton Jr. and Ousmane Kromah. Defensive back K.J. Kirkland is questionable. Nichelson's absence was expected. He has not played since the opener against New Mexico State, and Mike Norvell said Monday that "Blake probably won't be available this week," according to 247Sports. Sports Illustrated also reported that Norvell expects many of the players hurt against Miami to come back.

The probable list supports that. Quarterback Malachi Marshall, linebackers Omar Graham Jr., Chris Jones, Mikai Gbayor and Caleb LaVallee, and defensive back Jordan Crutchfield are all expected to be available. If those linebackers do play, Florida State can still field a full second level. It will just have far less depth behind the starters than it planned on.

Clemson has its own problems in the secondary. The Tigers ruled out cornerbacks Corian Gipson and Shavar Young Jr. and safety Polo Anderson. Wide receiver Cole Turner, running back David Eziomume, offensive lineman Mason Wade and defensive tackle Markus Strong are also out. Wide receiver Gordon Sellars III is questionable.

What it means for Saturday

The stakes are similar for both teams. Florida State is 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the ACC, and it has lost two straight while giving up 87 points: 44 at Louisville and 43 at Miami. The offense has been productive, averaging about 31.6 points a game, including 35 in Coral Gables. The defense has allowed nearly 28 a game, and this report takes more bodies away from it.

Clemson is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the league, and its offense is the bigger question. The Tigers have averaged about 21.4 points a game and lost their last game 20-16 to Virginia Tech. They also scored 10 at LSU and 13 against Miami. Clemson will face a short-handed Florida State linebacker group without three members of its own secondary. That could open things up for Florida State's offense, which has scored 34 or more in five of its seven games.

The market still favors the Seminoles. On the game board, which tracks 12 venues, Florida State is favored at -203 on Novig's moneyline, and Clemson is +199. On the spread, Novig has Florida State -6.5 at +104. The best price anywhere is theScore Bet's -5.5 at -105, so the venues are a point apart on the number. Novig's total sits at 49.5, with the over at -106 and the under at -100. FanDuel's under at 50.5 (-110) is the best price on that side. Sportsbook hold on the spread runs from 3.3% to 6.8%.

The availability reports will be updated before kickoff. The main things to watch are Kirkland's status and whether Florida State's probable linebackers are cleared.