The Florida State Seminoles head into the 2021 season following a 3-6 record in 2020 and high hopes for the future. Mike Norvell has a lot of changes to make, but that starts with Kenny Dillingham’s offense in the new age of college football. Let’s discuss the season outlook for the Seminoles as the college football season nears.
Game 1: vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Thankfully, FSU starts off with a home game. Unfortunately, they face a playoff team. There has been a lot of talk about Notre Dame constantly failing to reach the peak, but they usually take care of business against the teams they are supposed to beat. In a night game, just hope the Seminoles can keep this one respectable.
- Record: 0-1
Game 2: vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
The Seminoles dominated the Gamecocks in a 41-24 victory last year at home, and don’t expect that to be any different this year. McKenzie Milton, the projected starting quarterback, should have a field day against an FCS defense just like in his old days at UCF. These are the teams that FSU must dominate to get back in the hunt for the ACC.
- Record: 1-1
Game 3: @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Unfortunately, this matchup was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 issues with the Seminoles. FSU has not fared well in road games in the past, and this will be a tough one as the first road game of the season. Look for Sam Hartman to dissect the Seminoles’ defense in a high-scoring affair.
- Record: 1-2
Game 4: vs. Louisville Cardinals
This was a tough outing for FSU last year, ending up in a 32-point blowout. Malik Cunningham and Javian Hawkins had the Seminoles’ defense on skates, so Florida State should look at this as a revenge game. Back at home, expect FSU to bounce back from two (projected) consecutive losses.
- Record: 2-2
Game 5: vs. Syracuse Orange
If this was basketball, then there’s a need to be worried. But luckily, this is football. The Orange have beaten the Seminoles once in the past 50 years, and that was in Willie Taggart’s first year as head coach. This should be an easy win at Doak Campbell Stadium.
- Record: 3-2
Game 6: @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Any way you look at it, this won’t be good. Mack Brown’s offense is just too high-powered heading into 2021, and to make matters worse, the game will be played at Kenan Memorial Stadium. It’s best to hope that the Seminoles keep the margin to a respectable amount.
- Record: 3-3
Game 7: vs. Massachusetts Minutemen
Following the bye week, the Seminoles face off against an FBS Independent team who went 0-4 last year. Oddly, FSU’s home games seem easy enough thus far. This should be a blowout to offset the thrashing given by North Carolina from the last game. A good day for homecoming!
- Record: 4-3
Game 8: @ Clemson Tigers
Uh-Oh. It was pretty obvious last season that Dabo Swinney was upset when Clemson traveled to Tallahassee and the game ended up getting cancelled. Clemson did lose the last time Dabo talked trash, but it’s hard to bet against the Tigers at home.
- Record: 4-4
Game 9: vs. NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack dominated the Seminoles by 16 points in last season’s outing, and there’s no reason to doubt Thayer Thomas dominating FSU’s secondary yet again. This should be just the 2nd home loss of the season.
- Record: 4-5
Game 10: vs. Miami Hurricanes
What is there to say? You can’t expect a win after the Hurricanes dominated the Seminoles 52-10 in last year’s matchup. Honestly, just hope for the best. D’Eriq King is back, so Doak Campbell Stadium better be ready for some airpower when Miami comes to town.
- Record: 4-6
Game 11: @ Boston College Eagles
The last time these two ACC teams played was in 2019, when the Seminoles edged out the Eagles 38-31. Phil Jurkovec, the quarterback of Boston College, showed signs of improvement last year, especially in the Clemson game. But you can’t bet against Florida State in this one.
- Record: 5-6
Game 12: @ Florida Gators
This is probably one of the best rivalry matchups of the season. The Gators lost a lot of offensive talent last year, so expect a close game in Gainesville. However, Emory Jones will probably be a steady quarterback by the time of this matchup and steal a win from Florida State.
- Record: 5-7
ACC Championship and Bowl Projections
First of all, there’s no chance that Florida State makes it to the ACC championship, sorry! The Tar Heels and Tigers seem too far ahead of the rest of the ACC for any other team to make the championship. For a bowl game, it’s hard to see the Seminoles make it with a losing record. This is still a rebuilding year, so give it some time for FSU to make it back to the top.