FSU football has plenty of people signing their praises this season – but what do those that run their hated foes think about the Seminoles?
Not long after FSU football takes the field in the opener against Alabama, the Seminoles will be welcoming the first of several rivalry games during the 2017 season as the Miami Hurricanes come to town. In November, the Noles will hit the road for two more games against growing conference rival Clemson and long time hated in state foe Florida.
There are big things expected for the Seminoles this season, as nearly every preseason prediction has Florida State heading to the College Football Playoff after winning the ACC for the first time since 2014 – also the last time they made the playoff. You can be willing to bet that the ‘Canes, Tigers and Gators would love to be in the way of both those events.
But just what do the leaders of those three teams think about the Seminoles this season? Sports Illustrated recently asked coaches to anonymously talk about their rivals and teams who will be huge on their 2017 schedule. Those who will be facing FSU football talked about several different players and had to give credit where it was due:
"We have to wait and see what Derwin James looks like coming back from the [torn meniscus in his left knee]. In the past you always had to know where he was on the field. You don’t have to change your game plan, but you have to be sure your quarterback knows where he is."
"They’ve been down at linebacker the last couple of years. Not bad but not as good compared to their normal standard. But their secondary and defensive line are as good as ever."
"Jimbo Fisher does a good job of making sure the quarterback [Deondre Francois] makes the right reads and gets the ball to the right guys."
You can be willing to be that whether it was Mark Richt, Dabo Swinney or Jim McElwain making those comments (or even Nick Saban or some other ACC coaches), it made them a little bit sour to realize all the work they are going to have to do to complete with a FSU football team that is stacked and might be the best team in college football when it’s all said and done.
Next: Can ACC avoid letdown after magical 2016 season?
The Seminoles have had a good run under Jimbo Fisher against the Hurricanes, Tigers and Gators – going 17-4 against the schools during his seven seasons in Tallahassee. The hilarious part of that stat is that three of those losses were against Clemson…which might leave some to wonder if they may eventually reach hated rival status like the in-state foes have.