FSU football: Noles projected fourth in ACC Atlantic preseason poll

FSU football has a ton of excitement around the program. Mike Norvell has made quite an impression when it comes to recruiting, with FSU fielding the No. 8 ranked class nationally.

However, it won’t mean much if the Noles don’t show an improved product in 2021. A COVID year with no spring camp and limited summer/fall camp wreaked havoc on the new staff.

Mike Norvell used the off-season to flip the roster, and several players from the transfer portal will find themselves in important positions.

Will those additions and a true offseason of player development be enough to turn the tide in Tallahassee?

FSU football projects to finish fourth in the ACC Atlantic, which means the Noles would likely reach the 6-6 record most think is needed to show improvement.

Syracuse is the only ACC team most give the consensus to FSU defeating in 2021. The other six teams involve the Noles as underdogs or projects to be coin flips.

Final Thoughts

There are too many unknown variables about this FSU football team to make and predictions. Who will be the starting QB? Will the defense have some semblance of a pass rush? Will the wide receivers become a productive unit? What about the linebackers?

How much ground can FSU make up in all three phases during one off-season? I’ve written FSU still has a more talented roster than Wake Forest, Syracuse, UMASS, Jacksonville State, Louisville, and Boston College.

That’s six teams, and the difference between FSU, Miami, North Carolina, and NC State is mostly quarterback play and the defense. If the Noles improve at QB and the defensive end position? The Noles could finish as high as third in the ACC Atlantic division.

If those areas don’t improve, it’s going to be a long year.  However, I have reason to believe they will.