We’re less than a month from the start of Florida State’s 2015 campaign. The Seminoles have been the nation’s best program over the last three years with a 39-3 record, three ACC crowns and the 2013 national championship.
Expectations for this upcoming season however, are not nearly what they were prior to last season. FSU will be breaking in a number of new bodies at key positions including at quarterback. Still, there is reason for optimism as editor Mike Ferguson and staff writers Clint Eiland and Jon Marchant each answer three questions pertaining to this upcoming season.
1. Which contest for 2015 is most intriguing?
Mike Ferguson: In terms of the season, I see Clemson, Georgia Tech and Miami being bigger games, but I’m really interested to see Jim McElwain’s debut against Florida State. FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher got the better of Urban Meyer in 2010 before going 3-1 against Will Muschamp. The Seminoles have clearly had the upper-hand over the Gators since Fisher arrived and this will give fans a glimpse of what the future might hold for Florida State’s most bitter rival.
Clint Eiland: The October 17th match-up with Louisville in Doak Campbell is the first big test the ‘Noles will face in 2015. Both teams return around the same amount of starters, and both teams are weak at certain position groups (offensive line). If FSU can beat the Cardinals in Tallahassee, it gives the Seminoles a ton of momentum heading into a backloaded schedule.
Jon Marchant: Out of seven loseable games, Clemson is going to be the toughest challenge. FSU will find itself in the rare position of being a solid underdog and the Tigers are loaded at the skill positions. Deshaun Watson is a very good quarterback — the kind that win championships and plays in the NFL. This could be the year they finally beat FSU. Also, it will again most likely determine the ACC Championship game’s Atlantic division representative.
2. What is FSU’s biggest concern for 2015?
Ferguson: Offensive line play and who wins the quarterback job are big question marks, but having a thin corps of linebackers stay healthy will be critical for Florida State this season. Seniors Reggie Northrup and Terrance Smith headline the group, but both have had troubles staying healthy. Jacob Pugh will be used primarily as a pass-rusher and aside from that, the Seminoles’ corps of linebackers have just 12 combined career tackles at the FBS level.
Eiland: Rick Trickett is a fantastic coach, but there’s no getting around the attrition that the offensive line experienced. A porous O-line makes it that much harder for running backs and quarterbacks to do their job successfully and FSU is no exception. If this group starts to show their youth, the offense could struggle to put points on the board in a major way.
Marchant: The linebacking group. There’s paper-thin depth and they’re not that great in coverage. Florida State needs Terrance Smith to stay healthy all year. That’s something he hasn’t been able to do in his time at FSU.
3. What constitutes a successful season for FSU?
Ferguson: For 2015 to be considered a successful season for Florida State, I think the Seminoles need to win 10 games and that can include a bowl. The stretch in October and November that features contests against Miami, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Clemson and N.C. State in a 6-game span is rough, but not one where FSU can’t go 4-2 or 5-1. The ceiling for this team is an ACC crown and a New Year’s Six bowl. A playoff appearance is highly unlikely.
Eiland: A 9-3 regular season record would be a good result for this year’s team. There’s just too much youth and depth issues to expect them to contend for a major bowl. While the ceiling is certainly higher than 9-3, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
Marchant: A successful season will be 9-3 and a decent bowl appearance. A great season would be 10-2 and winning the ACC. FSU is still talented, but that talent is all freshmen and sophomores. Can they grow together and be consistent enough to put it all together? The future looks bright, especially going into 2016 and 2017.
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