FSU football is projected to be one of the 12 teams in the six biggest bowl games this season – but could they be joined by several others from Florida?
Across the college football landscape, FSU football has plenty of high expectations placed on the program entering the 2017 season. Experts across the country not only are predicting the Seminoles to win the ACC Championship for the first time since 2014, but also make the College Football Playoff for the first time since that season as well.
At the same time, experts from Athlon Sports, Sporting News and even SEC Country among many others think that the Seminoles will be joined by another Sunshine State program – the South Florida Bulls – in playing in one of the six biggest bowl games as part of the playoff system, commonly called the New Years Six.
But could it be more than just FSU football and USF representing the state this season?
Of the 12 spots that will be filled in the six bowl games – Orange, Sugar, Rose, Fiesta, Peach and Cotton – a legit argument could be made that as many as four teams from the Sunshine State could be selected. Along with the Seminoles and Bulls, the rival Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators could also end up playing in one for the first time under the current system.
Unlike the BCS during its 16 season run from 1998 to 2013 – which allowed for just two teams from each conference to play in one of the four and later five bowls in the system – the CFB Playoff has no problem allowing three teams from a conference in there. With both the Gators and Hurricanes likely starting the season ranked, it’s possible.
FSU football, if they win the ACC and lose no more than one game in the regular season, will be a lock for the playoff system. If that takes place, the Orange Bowl will be tied into taking the next highest ranked team. Most experts think that will be Clemson barring a major collapse, but if Miami wins the Coastal Division, the folks in South Florida would love the guaranteed sellout if the ‘Canes are there.
As for the Gators, the men from Gainesville are in a decent position to backdoor into winning the SEC East for a third straight year. If they win the conference title game but don’t qualify for the playoff, the Gators would most likely be sent to the Orange Bowl (maybe playing Miami) or the Cotton Bowl – while if they lose and are still the highest ranked team in the conference, they could still make it in.
Related Story: Can FSU Football Finish New Years Six Bowl Sweep in 2017?
In the first three years of the system, the most teams from any state has been two. During the BCS era, the only time more than two teams from the same state played in the system was in 2000 – when FSU football was joined by Miami and Florida to fill three of the then eight spots. In 2017, the College Football Playoff could get a whole lot of Sunshine State flavor.