FSU Football: ESPN Ranks Two Games As Having Highest Stakes in 2017

FSU football will be a part of two games that have the most on the line according to the Worldwide Leader – but they may not be the ones you expect.

By now, it has been well documented that the FSU football schedule for 2017 is top loaded with some of the toughest games of the season. The Seminoles will face both Alabama and Miami in the first three weeks, Louisville in October and both Clemson and Florida in the final three weeks. Needless to say, the Noles will have plenty of important games with a lot on the line.

According to the folks over at ESPN.com, there are two games involving Florida State that are among the 10 games with the ‘highest stakes’ during the 2017 season. While one of them is a given, the second one might have some shaking their heads since it’s not against the SEC team many would have thought.

Coming in at No. 8 was FSU football’s trip to the Palmetto State on November 11th in what will likely be the de facto ACC Championship Game against Clemson:

"Florida State can lose to Alabama in the season opener. A loss to Clemson, meanwhile, would almost certainly take the Seminoles out of the title chase. It also would mark their third straight loss to the Tigers, a drought that has happened only once (2005 to 2007) since the teams began playing annually in 1992."

Florida State Seminoles Football

Coming in at No. 2 was not the Seminoles’ opener against the Crimson Tide, but their finale in a rivalry showdown with the Gators – more due to what it means for Florida:

"The Seminoles have beaten the Gators four straight times, and the last two were by a combined 43 points. Even with back-to-back SEC East Division championships, the last thing Florida’s Jim McElwain needs is another beatdown at The Swamp at the hands of the Seminoles."

The Worldwide Leader’s argument why the opener with Alabama isn’t on the list? Neither coach is on the hot seat and – like what was mentioned for the Clemson game – each team is not knocked out of the conference or national title talk if they take a loss in Atlanta. It continue to raise the question whether that game is getting TOO hyped, a topic we discussed last weekend.

Just like last season, FSU football heads into 2017 with plenty of expectations about what will happen. And just like last year, there are plenty of reasons for fans of the Seminoles to have some concerns – even with all the talent that is coming back.