FSU Football: Early metrics favor improved Noles team in 2019

Lots of FSU football fans have extremely low expectations according to social media. However, early metrics suggest the Noles to bounce back in 2019.

I’ve wrote about my dislike of ESPN’s FPI metrics last year when talking about FSU football and their schedule.

Nothing has changed as I’m still not a fan of all the components they use to come up with their formula.

Nevertheless, the FSU football season was so bad last year I have to take whatever positive news I can find to provide hope for a year that’s pivotal for Willie Taggart and the program.

According to ESPN’s FPI projections,  the Noles check in at the No. 22 spot.

In case you forgot what the criteria is I’ll post it for you here:

"Team performance over the past four seasons (most emphasis on last season)"

"Returning starters at quarterback, on offense overall and on defense"

"Whether a team has a returning head coach"

"Recruiting rankings over the past four seasons"

Thoughts

FSU is projected to have the No. 48 offense, No. 10 defense and No. 40 special teams. I’ll say this, if FSU has special teams ranked No. 40 that will be light years better than the past couple of seasons.

I can definitely see the offense improving to No. 48 with the arrival of Kendal Briles who’s known for explosive offenses.

The good news is FSU returns a lot of starters on both sides of the ball. The biggest questions come on the offensive line who’s been among the worst in the power five the last couple of seasons.

Defensively, the Noles have questions at defensive end and safety and may not have the depth at defensive tackle they’ve had in past years.

If they do it’s largely unproven with the likes of DeMarcus Christmas and Fred Jones exhausting eligibility.

The schedule is easier with only Clemson (No. 1) and Florida (No. 8) ranked ahead of them among the teams FSU football will play in 2019.

FSU’s 2019 first opponent Boise St. checks in at No. 42.