ChopChat Editor Roundtable: FSU vs. Notre Dame
By David Visser
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
AH: The perception of the Florida State team in the media is that this team is not as good as last year’s National Title group. Is there any truth to this notion?
PN: Last year’s team was one of the best in college football history. That’s not an opinion either, the stats back that up. This reminds me of Miami in 2002 actually. The 2001 Hurricanes — along with ’95 Nebraska and ’13 FSU — were one of the most dominant teams of the current college football era. The following year, in 2002, they were still a damn good football team but when compared to their predecessors, and when held up to the expectations that were built the year before– of course they felt disappointing.
No, FSU isn’t as good as it was last season. The Seminoles lost over 4,000 yards and 46 TD’s on offense, there were defensive leaders on the defense that got drafted and FSU had to replace. The talent level is comparable in terms of NFL prospects, but the level at which those prospects are currently playing, the leadership and the confidence of this team are not where they were last year. The key word with 2014 FSU is ‘potential.’ If the Seminoles can finally put it all together this Saturday they’re going to look awfully reminiscent of last year’s team. But it’d be foolish to pretend they’re as good. It might be a long time before anyone, anywhere, in college is that good again.
DV: There is absolute truth this notion because, at this point in time, it’s a fact: the current incarnation of this team is not as good as the 2013 squad. It’s also played a tougher opening schedule than last year’s team, which had the benefit of growing up – and growing together – against teams like Bethune-Cookman and Nevada. Despite grumblings about FSU not playing anyone, the Notre Dame game will be the third time in seven opportunities that College GameDay has shown up for a Florida State game.
Instead of stockpiling highlight-reel footage, this team is forging its identity through hardship, adversity, and incessant media attention, the overwhelming majority of which is one-sidedly negative. It’s not the tradition path, that’s certain—we’ll find out Saturday if this grind has sharpened the reigning champs or worn them down.