Florida State's College Football Playoff prospects appear grim after an upset loss to Georgia Tech in the season opener. While a Week 0 defeat doesn't spell the end of the season for the Seminoles, it does significantly dampen their postseason aspirations.
Florida State was predicted to finish first in the ACC preseason media poll, receiving 81 out of 170 first-place votes. In contrast, Georgia Tech was ranked ninth, although one prescient voter did give them a first-place nod.
The Seminoles were a popular pick for the College Football Playoff, backed by their consensus top-10 preseason ranking. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, received no consideration in either the Coaches Poll or the AP Top 25.
This game was supposed to mark Florida State's return to prominence after last year’s disappointment, especially with the team playing in a prime television slot without competing games. Instead, the Seminoles now face a season with no margin for error.
The road ahead doesn't get any easier. Florida State’s Week 1 matchup is against ACC rival Boston College in a primetime Labor Day game, offering no respite. Just 12 days later, they’ll face Memphis, a team fresh off a 10-win season with College Football Playoff aspirations of its own.
After that, the true test begins as Florida State dives into its conference schedule. The Seminoles won’t face a non-FBS opponent until Nov. 23 against Charleston Southern, a game sandwiched between a trip to No. 7 Notre Dame and the season finale against Florida.
Between Sept. 28 and Oct. 26, Florida State will face SMU on the road, Clemson at home, and Miami on the road—one game against the reigning American Athletic Conference champion and two against teams that finished second and third in the ACC preseason media poll.
In summary, Florida State still has to play three preseason AP Top 25 teams, a 2023 conference champion, and its in-state SEC rival. Here’s a full breakdown of Florida State's remaining schedule:
- Sept. 2: Boston College
- Sept. 14: Memphis
- Sept. 21: California
- Sept. 28: at SMU
- Oct. 5: Clemson
- Oct. 18: at Duke
- Oct. 26: at Miami
- Nov. 2: North Carolina
- Nov. 9: at Notre Dame
- Nov. 23: Charleston Southern
- Nov. 30: Florida
To make the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff, the Seminoles must win out. But that’s the challenge—Florida State can’t afford another slip-up on a schedule filled with potential pitfalls. Based on Saturday’s performance, this doesn’t look like a team built to win 11 straight games.
Entering the season, Florida State viewed its lines of scrimmage as strengths. However, the loss to Georgia Tech shattered that perception. Defensive tackles Joshua Farmer and Darrell Jackson Jr. were pushed around as Georgia Tech rushed for 190 yards at 5.3 yards per carry.
Edge rushers Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr. were virtually invisible, as Florida State failed to record a sack. The offensive line, which returned three starters, including first-team preseason All-ACC selections Darius Washington and Maurice Smith, and added power conference transfers, looked inconsistent after a dominant (and likely scripted) opening drive.
Georgia Tech registered seven tackles for loss, while Florida State managed less than 100 net yards rushing, 58 of which came on that initial drive.
This was with the healthiest lineup Florida State is likely to have all year. As the season progresses, injuries are inevitable, making it hard to believe that the Seminoles have the depth to finish with an 11-1 record. Even 10-2, which might keep them in the College Football Playoff conversation, seems difficult to envision.
Of course, it’s unwise to make sweeping judgments after one game—especially a Week 0 game. Many teams have rebounded from a disastrous start to make a late-season run. Florida State knows better than most that when you peak is more important than the peak itself.
However, the road ahead will be a steep climb for the Seminoles.
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