FSU football is preparing for maybe the biggest opener in program history against the Crimson Tide – but the game with the Canes is much more crucial.
In just six weeks, the Seminoles of FSU football will be in Atlanta for a showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide – a game that has been circled on almost every college football calendar since the end of the 2016 season as it could be the first ever gam between the top two ranked teams to open a season.
While much of the attention is being paid to what will take place on Labor Day weekend just up the road from Tallahassee, the Seminoles will have to save some of their energy for a game that will take place two weeks afterward back home – when the rival Miami Hurricanes comes to town for their annual meeting with the Noles.
Florida State Seminoles Football
While the game may not be the same national game of the year it once was since Miami has fallen off of late and FSU football has won the last seven games, it is still of massive importance for a variety of reasons – more important, in fact, than the opener that is on everyone’s minds right now. Here are the three main reasons why:
No. 1 – FSU football watches playoff hopes take more of a hit losing to Miami
There are plenty of experts out there who think that, regardless of who wins the game in Atlanta, that both the Seminoles and Crimson Tide will make it to the College Football Playoff – perhaps even meeting again in the national title game, which will be played in the same Atlanta stadium where they will meet in the opener.
At the same time, a loss to the Hurricanes would be a big blow for a variety of reasons. If the Seminoles drop their opener to the Crimson Tide, a loss to Miami would give Florida State two defeats and virtually no chance of the playoffs. If this is their first loss, the Noles would have to be perfect the rest of the way – not all that easy with games left against Louisville, Clemson and Florida.
No. 2 – The Seminoles are expected to blow out the Hurricanes…big time
When you look at the numbers that are “for entertainment purposes” only, Florida State is right now about a touchdown underdog for the game with Alabama. Many people out in the desert feel that the Crimson Tide, at this point, are just too much for the Seminoles to handle.
At the same time, FSU football is a HEAVY favorite for their game with the Hurricanes…with some people having it between 10 and 12 points. Considering the last three meetings have been won by a combined 10 points, that’s a crazy number. The pressure is on Florida State to win their eighth in a row, which would be a record for either team in this rivalry.
No. 3 – Two words: bragging rights
It hasn’t been this easy for the Seminoles against one of their two in-state rivals since the mid and late 1990’s when Florida State took five in a row from Miami. There is no doubt that the Hurricanes have talent and have gotten closer of late, but the recent wins have made things extra fun – especially for those living in South Florida.
It would be amazing to win the opener over Alabama, but a vast majority of FSU football fans would take a victory over the Hurricanes any day of the week of the choice was to only win one of the two games. Of course, the Seminoles should just go out and win both games – but that’s just one man’s idea.
Next: Top FSU Football Wins Over Rivals Florida and Miami
This is no way was meant to take away from the important of the game with the Crimson Tide. It’s a game that will set the table for the entire season and could make Florida State the top ranked team with a win. However, it’s two weeks later where the real season starts for the Seminoles.