How “Lost” Was FSU’s “Lost Decade”?

From 1987 until 2000, Florida State was one of if not the premier program in college football. The Seminoles finished in the top 5 nationally every year, claimed two national championships, played for three others and won nine straight ACC championships. Following an unprecedented run of success, FSU underwent a major drop-off which some Seminole fans now refer to as the “lost decade”.

The lost decade for Florida State lasted nine years from 2001-2009. It began with the departure of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Chris Weinke and offensive coordinator Mark Richt and ended with the forcing out of legendary head coach Bobby Bowden. While those nine years were certainly a trying time for FSU fans who had the luxury of watching Bowden’s great teams of the 1990s, the lost decade was still a successful era by most schools’ standards.

During the 14-year span from 1987-2000, the Seminoles never lost more than twice in any season. During the lost decade, FSU never lost fewer than three games and that happened just twice, in 2003 and 2004.

The lost decade for Florida State ultimately culminated in the legendary Bowden being forced to resign. The lost decade however, was defined by long losing streaks to Florida and Miami, inconsistency at quarterback and an academic cheating scandal that forced the Seminoles to sit 25 players at the end of the 2007 season and the beginning of 2008.

After winning the ACC in 2012 and the BCS National Championship in 2013, there is little doubt that the Seminoles are all the way back. During their relatively recent trying times however, Florida State managed to accomplish things that most schools would be very proud of.

The perceived lost decade for FSU still produced a winning season every year. Despite being largely irrelevant on the national level, Florida State went 5-4 in bowl games during the lost decade, won three ACC titles and finished in the top 25 six times which included a top 10 finish in the coaches poll in 2003.

While that 9-year span for the Seminoles failed to produce a national championship or even a BCS bowl victory for that matter, the Seminoles won the ACC on three occasions. Among teams from power conferences over that time, only LSU, Miami and Virginia Tech claimed as many conference crowns. Only Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC won more during that stretch.

Although Florida State was not victorious in any of its three BCS appearances, the Seminoles showed the ability to play with the nation’s elite during those contests. The 2004 Orange Bowl pitted Florida State against rival and Big East champion Miami, who had been to the BCS title game in each of the past two seasons. FSU took a lead into the final quarter before falling 16-14. Against third-ranked Penn State in the 2006 Orange Bowl, it took the Nittany Lions three overtimes to finally dispose of the Seminoles, 26-23.

The darkest part of the lost decade for Florida State was certainly the end. Over Bowden’s final four seasons, FSU finished 7-6 three times. But while Florida State was caught in the stranglehold of mediocrity, FSU still managed to go 3-1 in bowls and knock off six ranked opponents during that stretch, including a pair of top 10 foes.

Fortunately for Florida State, the days of championship dreams and limitless optimism are here again. With a rabid fan base, top-notch facilities and a strong football tradition, FSU fans should expect playing for national championships to once again become a regularity as it was all throughout the 1990s.

Tallahassee is certainly happy to put the lost decade in the past, but it was only as painful a time for Florida State due to the culture of success that it had created. While the dark period in Florida State football looks to be over, the Seminoles should still take comfort in the fact that what they call the worst of times, other schools would define as football success.