Alright, to my readers, I thank you for continuing to follow my posts. Since most of you, I assume, attend FSU, I believe it is time I did a post about FSU Football! With National Signing Day over and the Noles ranking #2 in best recruiting class, it looks like we may be in for another good year in Tallahassee.
It is important to remember though that our team will be very young in the upcoming season. Losing 9 starters on offense and 5 on defense, this may be a real rebuilding year for FSU. But, I am optimistic about this. The last time FSU was said to be entering a rebuilding year was the 2013 season. Better known as the year we won the championship with a perfect record.
Now while we may be losing Winston, Greene, and O'Leary, along with the 4/5 of the offensive line, FSU has been quietly getting at some of the top recruits at these positions. I am hoping that these kids will be plug and play situations, but that does not happen very often.
Since no starters on offense are set in stone, I will only discuss what I know, not what is speculated.
As for right now, I will discuss the upcoming 2015 season for the Seminoles:
Game 1: Texas State Sept. 5
The Noles open the season against one of their "cupcake" opponents. Last year, Texas State went 7-5 in the Sun Belt Conference (4th). Texas State will be having their starting QB returning this season along with their RB1. As for the receivers, WR1 is leaving while WR2 & 3 are staying for their senior year.
How will we fair? If we have seen anything this past year, it's that our defense is not the same under Kelly. We went from being a team that would has more interceptions than the other team has catches to trailing in the 4th quarter almost every game. This team is the 20th best rushing offense in the league, so Kelly will have to watch out for that. With Lawrence-Stample back in the lineup come fall, along with Josh Sweat (R) on the line, we can easily say that this week will be an easy defensive win.
Projection: 41-10 Seminoles
Game 2: USF Sept. 12
This year, we will face yet another Florida based team. The Bulls went 4-8 last year overall. The wins by this team were decided by less than 5 points in each game. As for their losses, 7/8 of the games were decided by at least 10 points. With the WR1 & 3 leaving, and another weak recruiting class, don't expect this to be a big fight. The USF starting QB only threw 9 TDs last year, along with 8 ints.
How will we fair? Due to that stat above, I am comfortable that Jalen Ramsey and Terrance Smith will have their way with USF defensively. As for our offense, with their rush defense ranked between 90-100, you can expect to see Dalvin Cook run over the Bulls for some incredible carries.
Projection: 55-13 Seminoles
Game 3: Boston College Sept. 18
Time for ACC play. This is where it will be tough to win due to this being a Friday Night game. This is unfamiliar territory for Jimbo and this team of Seminoles. Finishing with a 7-6 record, the Eagles have their work cut out for them in the upcoming season. With the majority of their team entering the draft or graduating, the Eagles will be in the same spot we are in: a new QB.
How will we fair? This will depend on how much the Noles can limit BC's run offense. Being ranked 15th rushing offense in the conference, they are sure to put up a fight on the ground. If the Noles can force the new QB to throw, this should be an easy win. That is, if the FSU offense will work together.
Projection: 34-17 Seminoles
October
Game 4: Wake Forest Oct 3rd
Wake Forest has never seemed to be a problem for us. Last year, The Demon Decons went 3-9 overall. One win against a no-name football school, one close win over Army, and a win against Virginia Tech in double overtime, a game that would end with a 6-3 final. Like us, their team is young. There QB1, RB1, and WR1 were all true freshmen last year.
How will we fair? To give you something more concrete than, "It's Wake, we will win," this team is not getting any better in future years to come. Over last season, the 8 RBs that saw field time combine for a total 479 yards all season. That is 51 more yards than the record for rushing in a SINGLE GAME and BY ONE RB, set this year by Oklahoma Freshman Samaje Perine. We should not have any worries about this away game.
Projection: 52-6 Seminoles
Game 5: Miami Oct. 10
This is where the Noles will have their hardest run. Starting off their 3 game series against some of their toughest opponents, the Noles will have to get ahead early in order to beat the Canes. Miami (6-7) will be starting their Sophomore QB Brad Kaaya against us next year. Last year, Kaaya threw for 316 yards and 2 TDs against the Noles. On the bright side, 5-star RB Duke Johnson has entered the draft, so we no long have to deal with him. Also, the top 3 targets for Kaaya (including Johnson) have all declared for the draft. This will be a new offense from Miami.
How will we fair? Honestly, we could lose this game depending on our own offense. It will depend on who is starting and how well they work together by this game that will ultimately decide our fate. The Miami defense has taken some hits from losing it's big players, but Miami looks to reload the rifle and come back stronger every year.
Projection: 7 point game
Game 6: Louisville Oct. 17
Last year, the Cardinals took the Noles to the limit. Causing 3 ints and putting the Noles down by 21 points at halftime, it was a miracle the Noles could jump back in and win the game. The Cardinals losing all but 3 starters on defense is a big help for the Noles going into that game. Also, Louisville loses the top 2 WRs this year.
How will we fair? Just like the Miami game, they could lose this one. I honestly believe FSU will drop one of these games. If the Noles blend well on offense and the defense can play as well as they are ranked, the Noles should not have a problem
Projection: 4 point game
Next week, I will discuss the second half of the Florida State Schedule.
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