Florida State football fans took it on the chin last year, the first for Willie Taggart, as the Seminoles missed a bowl game. Will 2019 be any better?
The Florida State Seminoles saw their streak of 36 consecutive bowl appearances end last season, the first year under the direction of head coach Willie Taggart. That 5-7 campaign was rife with turmoil, from injuries to poor play to a locker room that clearly wasn’t buying into what the new head coach was selling. Now, things may start to change as Taggart seemingly has his team behind him heading into 2019.
Deondre Francois is gone, which could leave James Blackman as the heir to the starting quarterback position — that is if Wisconsin grad transfer Alex Hornibrook can’t usurp him. Whoever’s playing under center, though, that player and running back Cam Akers will have an improved offensive line to work behind, which is critical for taking a step forward after last season.
Meanwhile, the Seminoles need to capitalize on the talent that they have on defense. Even with Brian Burns now on the Carolina Panthers, this group has the horses to be competitive against any offense in college football. However, they need Levonta Taylor and the secondary to step up and rebound after an abysmal season in pass defense in 2018.
With all that taken into account and the fact that Seminoles face a schedule that isn’t as taxing as last year, Florida State could be in for a turnaround 2019 — or not. Let’s take a look at the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Noles’ 2019 season.
Florida State football best-case scenario
- Aug. 31 – vs. Boise State – W
- Sept. 7 – vs. Louisiana-Monroe – W
- Sept. 14 – at Virginia – W
- Sept. 21 – vs. Louisville – W
- Sept. 28 – vs. NC State – W
- Oct. 12 – at Clemson – L
- Oct. 19 – at Wake Forest – W
- Oct. 26 – vs. Syracuse – W
- Nov. 2 – vs. Miami – W
- Nov. 9 – at Boston College – W
- Nov. 16 – vs. Alabama State – W
- Nov. 30 – at Florida – L
Record: 10-2 (7-1 ACC)
Call it a hot take if you must, but the potential of the Seminoles this season is a 10-2 record. Yes, that would be a five-win improvement from the mark they put forth last season but it’s a finish that’s plausible.
In any realistic world, no matter how talented Florida State actually is, Taggart’s team isn’t going to be able to compete with the likes of Clemson in the ACC or with in-state rival Florida coming out of the SEC just looking at their rosters. And the fact that those games are on the road only exacerbates the matter.
Having said that, the Noles have the fortune of their three other toughest games on the 2019 schedule — Boise State, Syracuse and Miami — all coming in Tallahassee. And while a trip to Charlottesville to take on Virginia won’t be an easy day, this team has the firepower to play with any team in the conference that isn’t the defending National Champions.
Florida State worst-case scenario
- Aug. 31 – vs. Boise State – L
- Sept. 7 – vs. Louisiana-Monroe – W
- Sept. 14 – at Virginia – L
- Sept. 21 – vs. Louisville – W
- Sept. 28 – vs. NC State – W
- Oct. 12 – at Clemson – L
- Oct. 19 – at Wake Forest – W
- Oct. 26 – vs. Syracuse – L
- Nov. 2 – vs. Miami – L
- Nov. 9 – at Boston College – W
- Nov. 16 – vs. Alabama State – W
- Nov. 30 – at Florida – L
Record: 6-6 (4-4 ACC)
The potential worst-case scenario for FSU in the 2019 college football season is still slightly better than the 5-7 mark that they submitted last year — but not by much. Things could start to get ugly in Tallahassee if the Noles go 6-6 for the year but it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
As much talent as Florida State has at their disposal, there are still uncertainties about this team. The offensive line has been reworked but will it be effective? Then there’s the simple matter of the defense not living up to their talent last season and the possibility that could happen again in Taggart’s second season at the helm.
While the Seminoles’ schedule is easier than it was last season, it’s not a cake-walk by any stretch. Games at Virginia and the aforementioned three-game home slate could all be losses for this team if things like the offensive line and defense aren’t sorted out. As a result, the Noles could end up with six total losses on the year.
In truth, the best-case scenario may actually be the more likely of the two, which is positive for Florida State. Even still, there is a wide array of ways that the 2019 season could go for Taggart’s team. What’s for sure is that they’ll be fascinating to follow given the moving pieces.