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FSU Football: Seminoles Still Have Plenty To Play For In 2016

By Ty Ragans

Sep 10, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray (80) runs with the ball after making a second half catch at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Florida State Seminoles defeat the Charleston Southern Buccaneers 52-8. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Nyqwan Murray (80) runs with the ball after making a second half catch at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Florida State Seminoles defeat the Charleston Southern Buccaneers 52-8. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports /
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With FSU’s annual goals of an Atlantic Division Title, ACC Championship and National Title gone, there is still plenty to play for in 2016.

The 2016 version of the Seminoles came into the season with a lot of hype and expectations – but after last Saturday’s loss to division rival Clemson, they will find themselves falling short of those annual goals. While the season has been a disappointment to say the least, FSU football still has an opportunity to finish strong and win another state championship.

Rival fans mocked Florida State for giving their player’s state championship rings in the off-season, but you know who didn’t mock Florida State for this? Recruits.

In a talent-rich state like Florida, it is important to assert your dominance over in-state rivals and leave no doubt who the premiere program in the state is. The Noles have swept their in-state rivals in five out of six seasons under Jimbo Fisher with the one loss coming against Florida at home in 2012.

With FSU already taking down the Canes at Hard Rock Stadium this year, they’ll look to claim their fourth straight state title by disposing of the Gators when they make their bi-annual trip to Tallahassee to cap off the regular season.

When blue-chip recruits make their visits to Tallahassee, Jimbo Fisher would love to once again be able to point to FSU’s in-state dominance as a selling point. While they certainly don’t measure up to championships, ten win seasons are nothing to scoff at in today’s college football climate.

FSU football fell short of their pre-season goals, but can still salvage a nice record if they can win their last four regular season games plus whatever bowl game they land at. At 5-3, if FSU were to win out they would finish the season with a 10-3 record. There are certainly no moral victories at FSU – but against a schedule as difficult as this one, 10-3 is a respectable record.

Just as Fisher would love to point to a fourth straight state title for recruiting, he would also like to be able to tell recruits if they come to Florida State, they can expect to win at least 10 games – as 2016 would be five ten-win seasons in a row for the Noles under Fisher.

Tangible accomplishments aren’t all that FSU football has left to play for in 2016. With many first year starters and contributors, every rep matters for the young players. As the season has progressed we’ve seen the roles of young players like Levonta Taylor, Dontavious Jackson, and Kyle Meyers increase on the defense – while Landon Dickerson was a starter on the offensive line before tearing his ACL in practice this week and “Noonie” Murray appears to have had his break out game against Clemson.

Ermon Lane isn’t a young player, but he is playing a new position. Lane seems to have found a home at safety where he has displayed natural instincts and physicality – but he can only get better with reps. If Lane can continue to improve, FSU should have a formidable safety combo when superstar Derwin James returns.

The Noles fell short of expectations this year, but if they can obtain a state championship, a ten win season, and get their young players valuable experience in the process, it will aid recruiting and go a long way towards answering questions that are sure to be asked going into the 2017 season.

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