Florida State’s Expectations
Photo Credit: SI
College Football Preview Magazine:
The hype around FSU since the 2022 season concluded has been the highest it has been since Jimbo Fisher’s last season in Tallahassee back in 2017. Most of us remember how that season went for the Seminoles. They began the 2017 season ranked third in the country and struggled to live up to the preseason ranking as their starting quarterback at the time, Deondre Francois, went down with a season-ending injury in the first game of the season against Alabama. As a result, Florida State finished the 2017 season 7-6 (at one point 3-6) and 100th in total offense.
I really doubt Florida State disappoints this year. The offense will definitely be better than 100th, and it starts with potentially the nation’s most improved position group over the last few years: the FSU offensive line.
In 2019, Florida State could barely field a starting five offensive line. They had an offensive tackle playing center, a defensive tackle playing guard, and an offensive guard playing tackle.
Now for 2023, Florida State has over 14,000 career snaps returning and 207 career starts returning. That’s the most in college football history for an offensive line. Most of the offensive line two-deep are above replacement level as well. Talk about a turnaround.
Because of the improvement up front offensively, the skill players have been able to show out more the past couple of seasons. Practically all the skill players from last year’s 10-win breakthrough season return. In fact, Florida State is fourth in the country in overall returning production (79%).
The Seminoles have some impressive returning receivers who all could be drafted next April in Johnny Wilson (6’7” 235 lbs), Keon Coleman (6’4” 210 lbs), and Kentron Poitier (6’3” 210 lbs). Florida State also welcomes back Winston Wright Jr. from injury and picks up a quality receiving target in Jaheim Bell from South Carolina.
Jordan Travis, one of the country’s top returning quarterbacks (top five in Heisman odds at the moment), returns as well.
Florida State returns a veteran bunch on defense as well. ACC defensive rookie of the year Patrick Payton, who finished second on the team in sacks (5), returns alongside a very experienced and veteran-heavy bunch that makes up one of the nation’s best defensive lines. All-ACC defensive end Jared Verse and starting defensive tackle Fabian Lovett return and are joined by Western Michigan defensive tackle transfer Braden Fiske.
The back seven are made up of all upperclassmen, including a senior-laden linebacking corps and a secondary that was responsible for finishing fourth in the country in passing yards allowed.
Florida State is an extremely talented team with a whole two-deep comprised of practically all upperclassmen. Florida State will be losing almost every major contributor from this year’s team, but the Seminoles have what it takes to be special this season. Especially with their schedule:
The nation will know just how great Florida State is after September. If the Seminoles can avoid a bad loss (at rebuilding Wake Forest, for example) and simply split the LSU and Clemson games and win the ACC Championship, then FSU could very well make the CFB playoff.
If FSU avoids a bad loss but loses to both LSU and Clemson, the country may feel they are a bit overrated because of the lack of a big-time win. However, that would still be a 10-win regular season and a likely spot in the ACC Championship against Clemson (likely) as well as a possible NY6 bowl appearance.
If FSU “disappoints” and loses both games against both LSU, Clemson and loses another game (like at Florida or something) and finishes the regular season 9-3, then a spot in the ACC Championship is probably still a lock even if FSU has two ACC losses they probably still make the ACC Championship.
Anyway you slice it, Florida State should finish with double-digit wins. Whether that double-digit-win threshold comes before the postseason will go a long way in how the country views the Seminoles this season.
The expectation should be double-digit regular-season wins and a NY6 bowl appearance. Playoff is the ceiling, and I would hate to see this talented team hit their floor scenario or struggle with injuries. Because there is a window of opportunity for Florida State this year.