Week 0 will provide lots of new information about the ‘Noles
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Last season, Florida State saw some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows. They were returning a solid squad that found success in every regular season match-up. Late in the year, they lost their star quarterback, Jordan Travis, to a leg injury against North Alabama. Despite losing their star, FSU capped off their undefeated season with an ACC championship win and a College Football Playoff snub.
FSU was slotted to play in the Orange Bowl and received the largest beating in FBS bowl history courtesy Georgia. Florida State’s offseason was tumultuous, with a lawsuit against the ACC over media rights violations, threats to leave the conference, and a subsequent lack of courtship from prospective conferences were they to successfully exit the ACC.
Despite a record-setting bad ending to the 2023 season, FSU recorded a perfect regular season last year. Say what you will about their strength of schedule, Florida State was a good football team last year and from what I’ve seen, will continue to be one this year.
Florida State pulled out a preseason ranking of 11th (via 247Sports), with a lot of new faces on the field. Florida State lost 10 players to the NFL including receiver Keon Coleman, running back Trey Benson, and quarterback Jordan Travis. Their dynamic offense was left with gaps, but Coach Norvell took full advantage of the transfer portal to fill them. Former Clemson Tiger and Oregon State Beaver, DJ Uiagalelei, will be at the helm this season for FSU. Alabama transfer Roydell Williams and Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas add depth to an already impressive group of running backs.
Another Alabama transfer, receiver Malik Benson, will look to sufficiently fill Keon Coleman’s absence. On the defensive side of the ball, FSU lost seven starters including powerhouse Jared Verse. The Seminoles are readily equipped to field another stellar defense, returning players like DT Joshua Farmer and DE Patrick Peyton. Norvell grabbed some impressive portal guys as well including DE Simone Lolohea, who brings veteran experience to the line. As you suspected, their incoming freshman class is pretty outstanding, consisting of mostly four-stars from around Georgia and Florida.
Okay, enough of that. Florida State holds a great deal of talent and individual game exposure, but their squad has hardly any experience playing together. August 26th will be the first time the Seminoles take an in-game snap as one. Early season games are renowned for exposing cracks in teams, particularly ones without the foundation of trust that comes from time spent together. Despite the apparent advantages FSU holds– at least on paper and in recruiting rankings– Georgia Tech enjoys a more cohesive team dynamic and more returning production. While FSU might have some potential superstars, Coach Key has assembled a group of young men proven capable of playing as a team.
Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
Florida State and Georgia Tech lace it up in Dublin, Ireland on August 24 to kick off the college football season. FSU is no stranger to the pressure of being the season opener as this is their second consecutive year playing in week zero. The last time these two met was in Tallahassee in 2022, where the Seminoles handily defeated the Jackets, 41-16. If the Jackets’ defense can slow FSU’s run game and Haynes King can make connections over a formidable Seminole line, it should be an exciting match-up across the pond. If not… well at least the Guinness is strong in Dublin.