For the second straight year, the Florida State Seminoles defeated the hated Florida Gators in rivalry week, 21-7.
The Noles’ 8th win of the season secured the state of Florida as they have beaten Miami and Florida in the same year for the second straight season. The recruiting edge this gives to Florida State is huge if they look to contend the for ACC title in the next coming years.
Overall the game was pretty boring with the Noles’ picking off 3 John Brantley passes in the first half, capitalizing with a 14-0 lead and holding the same score til early in the fourth quarter. Devonta Freeman scored twice on the ground from the 1 yard line, once in the first quarter, and once in the second quarter. Florida State’s offense decided not show up for the second straight week only managing a total of 95 yards and a slim 7 first downs. The regular season is now over and FSU will only play one more game this season, that game being the bowl game they are cordially invited to. So I’ve decided to write a season in review, being this will be one of my last articles on the Seminoles for this season.
Chronicling the Season
Jimbo Fishers’ second year as head coach and leading man of the Florida State Seminoles was lined up to be a historic one, but soon we realized that it wasn’t meant to be for the team in Tallahassee. It started out with the best recruiting class in the country and a national pre-rank of #5 in the country, with high expectations going in a lot was expected out of a young team, maybe too much.
The quarterback position was handed to red-shirt Junior, EJ Manuel, who looked to replace the now starter and first round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings, Christian Ponder. The season started out with 2 wins against teams that seemed like they couldn’t compete against a high team in Rhode Island (For you New Englanders).
Then came the ultimate test, going against then ranked No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, with the game at Doak Campbell Stadium, it seemed as if FSU had a slight advantage, that soon changed. EJ Manuel was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury, leaving the QB duties to true freshman Clint Trickett. The game was tied at 13-13 when Trickett came through, but the Sooners responded with a TD then shutting down the Noles’ offense.
After the loss to Oklahoma, Florida State was in need for a win against ACC oppopent, the Clemson Tigers. But, Clemson continued their roll defeating the Seminoles, 35-30. The team once again lost for the third consecutive time to Wake Forest, again, 35-30.
At this point in the season, the Noles’ fell out of the rankings as they fell to 2-3 overall. In the next 5 games, Fisher’s team started a new life ousting opponents through defense and a healthy offense, winning all 5 through a combined score of 177-58. In those games they faced Duke, Maryland, NC State, Boston College, and Miami (in order).
After the 5 game win streak, Florida State stepped back into the top 25, for the first time since the Wake Forest game, being at #25. That was soon relinquished as the Virginia Cavaliers stepped into northern Florida and shocked the Noles’ in a great football game, defeating them 14-13.
Since Florida State became bowl eligible for the 30th consecutive season, we now look forward towards the Seminoles bowl game which should come in late December.
A second bowl win for Jimbo Fisher would be nice, depending on the matchup. A season that has been overshadowed by the inability to finish, could end in a positive way, but seriously who would of thunk their record would be 8-4 at this point? Too much pre-season hype killed this team since they were inexperienced.
Let us look forward to next season, the apple does fall far from the tree.
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Written by Corey Rioux
I was born and brought up in the great state of Rhode Island, before eventually landing a spot on the west coast of the sunshine state. Yes, I'm a Floridian. Yet, Rhode Island and the above state of Massachusetts has never left my heart. Sports are a privilege, a passion, and a right of way for the average man or woman to escape the everyday struggles of life and of course, your family. This is why I write, my opinion may not always be the greatest one, heck, it most certainly is not and probably never will be. However, I try my best to provide above average sports knowledge along with the occasional touch of humor (at least I try). Writing is not easy, and the media is something most Americans hate, but if given the opportunity to express your views-- then things change. You never know when a hidden talent or love for something is revealed and that is exactly what happened to me. I hope you don't walk away feeling dissatisfied, I'm giving it my best. Remember, all good (maybe great) things take time, right?
And as always, proper grammar is optional.
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