In a few days the FSU football season will begin under Willie Taggart. Speculation continues about how FSU will fare under the first year head coach; what we know for sure is the Noles are a young team with a tough schedule.
Here are my win-loss predictions game-by-game.
Virginia Tech
Labor Day kick off game against a good coach with one of the better quarterbacks returning in the ACC. The Hokies lost a ton this past off-season through the draft, injury and suspensions, including the resignation of the co-defensive coordinator.
This is still a defense coached up by Bud Foster – Virginia Tech’s Mickey Andrews – so they will be ready to play.
Lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball for VT and playmakers itching for a chance to play on FSU give the Noles a win.
Record: 1-0
Samford
Please don’t make me breakdown why this is a win.
Record: 2-0
At Syracuse
This is a team that both FSU and Taggart just know how to beat. I want to like Syracuse coach Dino Babers and he has seemingly improved his program, but they don’t have the weapons to consistently put together drives which makes me not give much credence to them.
The Carrier Dome is an amazing place to play and I see FSU dominating this one. Plus, I don’t like their coach’s fake begin colored in hairline. It bothers me.
Record: 3-0
Northern Illinois
This is a rematch of the 2012 Orange Bowl where FSU mudstomped a team that didn’t understand you don’t poke a lying bear. The Huskies have a really good defensive end in Sutton Smith who had 14 sacks last season. He could be a test to see where this offensive line has come in a year.
Still, I believe only having a week to prepare for the multiple looks that FSU would’ve given by that time should hurt. This is probably the game to see if the offense is clicking on all cylinders.
Record: 4-0
At Louisville
Life after Heisman Trophy winning and current Baltimore Ravens’ star Lamar Jackson should help the Seminoles. Bobby Petrino is a damn good coach and play-caller. He consistently makes the most with little.
I have to give the nod to FSU this year simply because it let Louisville get away with one last season. If FSU doesn’t turn it over just before a game-sealing score then this will be easy.
Record: 5-0
At Miami
This rivalry has been streaky through its history and since 2005, UM has only won three games. It’s been a long time since Miami has beat FSU at home.
I will admit last year’s Hurricanes were hot and came together to win 10 games, something they have done in a while. Towards the end of the year a lot of the flaws in Manny Diaz’ defense showed up and teams capitalized with the Canes losing three in a row.
This is one of the few games that I cannot pick straight. I don’t see FSU losing, but I can also see why Miami fans are confident. They return a team that is really talented, similar to FSU, but with a coach who has been more established.
Record: 6-0
Wake Forest
It’s Wake Forest. I love their sophomore wide receiver Greg Dortch who lit FSU up for 110 yards. He shows up in big games, but without a veteran QB to toss it to him, I believe they go back to being traditional Wake Forest. They’ll show up strong every 3-4 years, but don’t beat FSU this season.
Record: 7-0
Clemson
Being unbiased, I just don’t see it. With the talent Clemson has had on their side of the ball, I’m shocked this game has been this close the past few years.
Currently, Clemson has four defensive linemen with first round NFL Draft grades. That’s a tall task for any offensive line. Football is won in the trenches.
The only advantage I see for FSU is that Clemson has a tough time when playing against up-tempo offenses, like the Noles should have. If the Gulf Coast is clicking, FSU has a chance.
If they win this game, everyone will be talking.
Record: 7-1
At N.C. State
I warned the FSU fan base last year about N.C. State and Bradley Chubb. Well, he’s no longer there, but I’m going to warn FSU fans about one of the best QB prospects in the nation, Ryan Finley. He can make the tough throws and that’s what defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett is going to make you do with his defense. He’s going to force you to throw the gamble pass.
The problem is, it’s high risk, high reward and a QB like this can burn you. Also returning is his favorite target and one of the leading receiver in the ACC, Kelvin Harmon. Coming off of a tough Clemson game, against a good rising coach in Dave Doerean at Raleigh, tough game.
Record: 7-2
At Notre Dame
Norte Dame is going to have that grass laid thick to try and slow the southern boys down. ND is one of those boom or bust teams. It recruits well, but just can’t seem to get it together.
Last year we thought the Irish had something until Miami shellacked them. I kind of see something similar.
Record: 8-2
Boston College
According to the NFL, this is the best team in the ACC with the most players having draft grades. Every year I tell people this is the toughest team on the schedule no matter if FSU blows them out or gets blown out like last season.
They have a different brand of football. The only flaw on this team is head coach Steve Addazio. He’s consistently inconsistent.
Record: 9-2
Florida
The only team to have had a rockier off-season than FSU. Last season was a debacle for the Gators. New coach Dan Mullen has injected new life, but without confidence in a quarterback, I don’t see this becoming the rivalry it once was.
Mullen will get the Gators back on track if fans and administrators give him time, but I don’t see that happening.
Record: 10-2
Had FSU had a focused head coach last season it would have won a minimum of nine games before the bowl. The six losses can be attributed to a lack of accountability and game management. Miami, Louisville and N.C. State were all close losses that probably go the other way if Jimbo Fisher wasn’t distracted.
Losing the team is what I blame the B.C. game on.
I believe this to be a 10-2 team, just missing out on the ACC Championship game, but playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game. This would be a huge win for Taggart in year one and would definitely set in motion momentum for the recruiting season and a return to top form in 2019.
The homer in me doesn’t see a game they can’t win although there are just too many shaky variables that must come into play for a playoff run to happen this fall. Everything depends on who is the QB and how some of these much-improved teams on their schedule play. No matter, only a hater would think this is a 7-6 ball club.
Article Originally Appeared on Gridiron Now: http://gridironnow.com/james-colemans-2nd-annual-no-cares-given-fsu-schedule-predictions/
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