FSU football finishes No. 11 and highest ACC team in final 2022 AP Poll

FSU football began the 2022 season unranked and not receiving one vote in the preseason AP Top 25 poll with their 5-7 campaign to conclude the 2021 season.

However, the potential for the 2022 team to climb into the top 25 at some point this season wasn’t far-fetch, but the Noles exceeded all expectations with a 10-win season. It was a tale of stretches for FSU football.

They rattled off four consecutive wins to open the season and enter the top 25 for the first time since the 2018 preseason. A three-loss stretch to three ranked teams saw the Noles for to 4-3 before their second bye week. However, a friendly backend of the schedule gave FSU fans hope they would finish the season on a high note.

They rattled off five consecutive wins to complete the regular season with a shot at 10 wins if they won their bowl game. They did so in a thrilling 35-32 win over Oklahoma in the Cheez-It Bowl.

Georgia destroyed TCU Monday night in the national title game to win back-to-back titles and will end the season at No. 1 in the final AP Top 25. The Noles finished at No. 11., which is their highest final ranking since the 2016 season when they finished at No. 8.

However, this season is the first time since 2014 FSU finished as the highest-ranked ACC team in the final top 25 AP Poll. Clemson finished at No. 13 and Pittsburgh at No. 22 to round out the ACC teams. That’s a lot different than Clemson, Miami, NC State, and Wake Forest in the preseason top 25.

I don’t understand why Utah is above FSU, but I suppose it’s because they beat USC twice. However, they got rolled in their bowl game and lost to Florida, which FSU beat. Either way, this finish puts FSU in a prime position to begin the 2023 season with its highest ranking since the 2017 preseason.

Like that season, they’ll face a strong SEC West team in their season opener in LSU. Here’s to hoping that game has a different outcome, and then we can let our imaginations wonder as the season trucks along.

Man, it’s going to be a long offseason, but at least FSU doesn’t have to wonder if they will be any good next season. The only question is how good? ACC championship, CFB Playoff, or National Title contenders?