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FSU Football: 3 Things 'Noles Have Left To Play For In 2016
Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts after quarterback Sean Maguire (not pictured) threw an interception in the third quarter against Houston Cougars in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. The Cougars won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
FSU football has two losses in five games in 2016. What do the ‘Noles have left to play for in 2016?
The ‘Noles ACC title chances are all but vanquished with two losses in ACC play. They’ll likely be underdogs next week as they travel to Doak south in Miami.
They’ll definitely be underdogs at home against Clemson who just Louisville. The same Louisville that dismantled FSU football effortlessly in the third season of the game.
This is a position that’s new for FSU football. They were still in position to win the ACC last season even though they had an ACC loss going into its showdown with Clemson.
The ‘Noles lost that game and lost their bowl game against Houston to finish the season 10-3.
They now stand at 3-2 and have lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2011.
With their national title and ACC title chances all but over, what do the ‘Noles have left to play for in 2016?
Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Florida State Seminoles helmet on the sidelines before a game against the Houston Cougars in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Recruiting
FSU football has the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation right now for 2017 with 13 commitments. They have one five-star, 8 four-stars and 4 three-stars.
Wins and losses usually don’t matter too much when it comes to recruits. However, the ‘Noles are in a tricky spot at the moment.
They already have two losses and could end up with somewhere between three and five losses depending on which FSU decides to show up.
If FSU loses to Miami next week, that would definitely give the Hurricanes ammo as to which program is ascending and which is declining.
After all, Miami is undefeated(they haven’t really beaten anyone of note), but 17 and 18 year olds can be sold on perception alone. Then if the ‘Noles lose to Clemson(which is likely) that would put FSU at four losses with games AT NC State and against Florida of which they could potentially lose.
The ‘Noles must finish the season strong for recruiting purposes and perception of the program.
State Champions
Jimbo Fisher has owned both Miami and Florida since becoming the head coach in 2010. He’s 11-1 against both programs with the lone loss coming against Florida in 2012.
That means they have been state champions in the state of Florida five of six seasons Jimbo Fisher has been head coach.
State Champs but were looking for more #GoNoles pic.twitter.com/ydRu13zhhm
— Stephen Gabbard (@StephenGabbard) June 23, 2016
Those wins give off the perception that FSU football is the best program in the state which is huge because of the number of elite programs the state produces.
FSU can’t win a national title or the ACC this season, but winning the state of Florida would be huge in keeping the edge on its biggest rivals in Miami and Florida.
Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) and defensive end Jamarcus Robinson (11) along with defensive coordinator Charles Kelly look on during the game against the North Carolina Tarheels at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Pride In Defense
Recruiting is one of the main life bloods of a program, but at some point players have to have some damn pride on defense.
How can they continue to miss simple assignments, tackles and making the same mistakes over and over and over.
These players came to FSU football because it’s an elite program. It’s a program that sends tons of players to the NFL, and plays in huge games each year on TV.
The coaches do what they do and try to scheme around strengths and weaknesses of players. However, at some point, it’s on the players to execute and show some want to out there.
The offense has been playing pretty well, but it has to be concerning when the offense feels like they have to score EVERY drive to win a shutout.
It’ll be easy for this team to quit, but we’ll see just how much pride they have when they take on Miami next week.
If the defense can’t get up for a rivalry game even through some of their major goals are unattainable, then maybe they shouldn’t play at FSU?
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