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FSU Football: 2017 is Playoffs or Bust for the Seminoles

By Zack Scott

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles takes the field during a game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles takes the field during a game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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FSU football is primed for another CFB playoff appearance. With talent all over the roster, its playoffs or bust for the 2017 Seminoles.

For the past two seasons FSU football has lost three games each season. I would refer to both seasons as ‘re-tooling’ years. While I believe FSU doesn’t reload quite as well as Alabama, I also don’t believe the ‘Noles go through a rebuilding stage with the recruiting success Jimbo has had.

This years team is extremely well-balanced and has some of the best depth Jimbo Fisher has had since taking over in 2010. With a very good mix of experienced players and freshman talented enough to contribute day one.

Defense:

Josh Sweat, Brian Burns, Derrick Nnadi, and Matthew Thomas will lead a strong defensive front seven. Along with a secondary led by pre-season Heisman candidate Derwin James and lock down CB Tarvarus McFadden – opposing offenses will struggle to find any success against one of the country’s best defenses.

Offense:

I expect Cam Akers and junior running back Jacques Patrick to get the bulk of the carries. However, as talented as this running back group is, I foresee the workload more balanced similar to 2014. As the season progresses between those two, we’ll probably see either Ryan Green or Amir Rasul as the third back.

Wide receivers Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate will be the go to guys this season for Francois. Improvement in pass blocking will allow Deondre Francois to put up big numbers in the passing game this season with the weapons he has at his disposal.

Thoughts

Although history favors the Crimson Tide week one in Atlanta, Florida State has a team more than capable of winning. A loss will have very little negative impact on the ‘Noles chances for a playoff spot.

Florida State will have a lot to gain and very little to lose September 2nd. There is a strong chance Alabama and Florida State see each other again in the playoffs if both can run the table following their week one match up.

Speaking of history, FSU has played in and won the Orange Bowl the year prior to two of their National Championships. (1993 & 2013) Florida State were the winners of last years Orange Bowl.

As far as conference play goes Clemson is the biggest threat to the Seminoles as they are every year.

With Deshaun Watson now in the NFL I don’t see their offense being nearly as explosive. However, the Tigers defense will be enough to give them a chance in every game this season. Clemson will host Florida State this season on November 11th.

Florida State has enough experience and talent to reclaim the ACC and make another appearance in the CFB playoffs. Anything short of that is a failure for this years team. A lot of hype is surrounding the Seminoles for this upcoming season and the CFB world should be buying it.

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