FSU football fans have been more optimistic lately with the recruiting surge the Noles experienced over the past four to five weeks. I was optimistic well before that, but have been pointing out the positive trends that favor FSU having a much improved season over 2024.
They have no choice because they were so terrible on one hand. However, the 2025 schedule isn't as tough as some think and FSU has more talent than most of the teams on the schedule.
Thomas Castellanos doesn't need to play at an elite level for FSU to find success either, and another trusted stat says the Noles will be much improved in 2025.
SP+ is an advanced metric that many people trust. I believe it's flawed because it fails to account for the impact of transfer portal players and puts too much emphasis on high school recruiting rankings(because the majority of those players don't play as freshmen).
Nevertheless, SP+ stats have FSU as the fifth-best team in the ACC going into the 2025 season. They have them with the No. 58 offense, No. 28 defense, and No. 13 special teams.
FSU finished with the No. 114 offense, No. 58 defense, and No. 6 special teams in 2024.
I believe the offense can be better than this projection. Gus Malzhan has had top 30 offenses consistently, and Tony White had back-to-back top 20 defenses at Nebraska with less talent.
I'm not sure how SP+ projects FSU to have the No. 13 special teams when FSU lost an All-American kicker and punter. Special teams might be one of the biggest question marks going into the 2025 season.
I have a lot of trust in the proven coordinators Mike Norvell hired. As long as they can steer clear of the injury bug, I don't think it's a question FSU will surprise folks in 2025.