Now that the ACC is transitioning to nine-game conference schedules (for some teams), it has also added a requirement that each team must play a total of ten Power 4 opponents. That limits the flexibility for Florida State as they have the annual matchup with Florida to account for.
This season, they have a return matchup with Alabama on their schedule. Florida State has prided itself on playing anyone, anywhere, and at any time. The possibilities of future opponents are endless. Here are five schools they should consider.
The Brand Matchup with USC
You cannot find many brands around college football that come with the tradition and pageantry of the University of Southern California. Playing USC could showcase Florida State to the western side of the country, and that could add some recruiting value, not to mention the primetime potential of these matchups.
The uniform combination stands out in my mind as well. In college football, there is no such thing as too much exposure, and in most years, a loss to USC would not be a playoff-killer, so to speak.
The Regional Matchup with Auburn
Auburn and Florida State have only met 19 times on the gridiron, with 10 of them being within one score, including a tie. Most notably, Florida State fans can vividly remember Winston to Benjamin to clinch the last BCS national title. Auburn provides another opportunity for an SEC scalp.
Additionally, this is a team in FSU’s proverbial backyard with a new boast of having two SEC teams on the schedule. The schools are only separated by 190 miles, so travel would be easy, and the environment would be electric. Obviously, 2013 was a long time ago, but there is the potential for a mini rivalry with the Tigers.
The Measuring Stick Game with Georgia
Now, it is time to swing for the fences. In most years, UGA would serve as a measuring-stick game. A win over Georgia would provide an invaluable boost to Florida State’s postseason prospects, if applicable. The risk makes this game compelling.
FSU fans have also not forgotten the 63-3 Orange Bowl in 2023 or the 2003 Sugar Bowl, where Anquan Boldin had to play quarterback for the Noles due to the ineffectiveness of Fabian Walker, after the Chris Rix/Adrian McPherson dramas.
This matchup would provide a chance for FSU to announce itself as a player but also raise the ACC’s profile as a whole. It takes a long time to change perceptions, but this would be a step in the right direction. Currently, Florida State and Georgia have a two-game series slated for 2027 and 2028.
The Game of Superiority with UCF
I know Florida State fans may scoff at this suggestion. I am a believer in paying it forward, and as a Seminole fan, I know what FSU had to go through to become what it is today. This is not a welfare or DEI pitch, but it is another in-state showcase opportunity.
None of these hypotheticals would become permanent games, and FSU has played UCF four times. With Florida and Miami on the schedule, this may not seem appealing, but why not? They have only played UCF once in the past.
Would that really hurt? Being able to play another in-state game in front of potential recruits could not hurt, and if FSU were to lose to UCF, they have bigger issues than simply playing UCF.
The Name Game with Ohio State
So many stadiums around the nation have a fairytale or dream destination attached to them. There is Happy Valley, Neyland, the Big House, etc, for example. How awesome would it be to catch the Noles playing a game at the Horseshoe in Columbus? Florida State last locked horns with the Buckeyes in 1997.
Even if Ohio State had a down year, the name could be enough to carry the day for Florida State. Could this end up being an in-conference game at some point? Possibly, but for the time being, college football has many titanic matchups that do not happen nearly enough outside of the playoff.
Ohio State is always locked and loaded, and these are the games that matter. As a wise man once said, “To be the man, you have to beat the man.”
The Final Spear
College Football is creating a space for more marquee matchups to take place. That is not to say we will not see the New Mexico States and Central Arkansas of the world on future schedules. The schedule has to have breathers somewhere.
As Florida State sets out on its climb back to national relevancy, Notre Dame provides an opportunity due to their ACC scheduling agreement, but why not take more risks make the season worthwhile for both fans and players alike? Of course, the money would not hurt either.
For more Sports Analysis, Michael can be found on the Sports Reports as Ordered Podcast on YouTube/DSPs and atauthory.com