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FSU football: Noles picked fifth in USA Today’s ACC power rankings

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 01: Florida State Seminoles fans during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 01: Florida State Seminoles fans during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images) /
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The perception of FSU football seems to be changing as we get closer to the season. One writer is still weary of what the Noles bring to the table.

Most reasonable FSU football fans expect the 2019 team to be better than the 2018 version unless injuries happen at key positions.

A lot of factors going into it. The schedule is easier and the FSU offensive staff has substantial upgrades with Kendal Briles, Randy Clements and Ron Dugans.

Briles having FULL control over the offense is huge in and of itself when it comes to coordination and organization of that unit which largely the reason the Noles were terrible in 2018 aside from special teams.

Harlon Barnett’s defenses have shown the ability to have huge improvements as players gain more experience in his system.

USA Today released their ACC preseason Power Rankings recently and had this to say about FSU football:

"5. Florida State: 7-5 (No. 43)Seven wins is the baseline given FSU’s talent, but there’s reason to be wary after a dreadful start under Willie Taggart and his staff in their first season. James Blackman needs to bring consistency to the quarterback position."

I’m not in love with the list overall. I understand a lot of emphasis has to be placed on recent history and the Noles haven’t been great the past two seasons.

However, history also says Willie Taggart can coach as he’s resurrected teams in the past and the Noles should be no different considering we know what the issues were/are.

I can’t expect a national writer that doesn’t cover the team daily to know and/or understand those things either.

Here’s the ranking:

  1. Clemson
  2. Syracuse
  3. Miami
  4. Virginia Tech
  5. FSU
  6. Virginia
  7. NC State
  8. Wake Forest
  9. Boston College
  10. Pittsburgh
  11. North Carolina
  12. Duke
  13. Georgia Tech
  14. Louisville

Thoughts

How in the world Syracuse and Miami No. 2 and No. 3 though? I’m sorry, Syracuse has to do more than win 10 games once in forever while breaking in a new QB to be rated that high.

Miami has no idea who their QB will be and they were about as bad as FSU was last season. At least FSU has a proven/capable QB with multiple starts under his belt in James Blackman and/or Alex Hornibrook who helped Wisconsin smoke Miami in their bowl game.

Virginia Tech was terrible too. Maybe it’s mostly because Miami and Virginia Tech are in the weaker ACC Coastal Division?

Either way, the games will be played soon enough and we’ll know exactly where we stand as a program after the Boise State game.

A win there changes everything for the Noles, and I expect it to happen.

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