Florida State football 2022 season prediction, preview, awards, 2022 bowl game

Florida State is looking to have its first winning season in over five years. Is 2022 the year that Mike Norvell can turn things around?

The last two years for the Florida State Seminoles have, well, not been great. A 3-6 record in the 2020 season, and a 5-7 run in 2021. Not the greatest of starts for head coach Mike Norvell, who arrived with much fanfare after a successful four-year run at Memphis.

Now, the Seminoles will look to have their first winning season since 2017, the very year that Jimbo Fisher re-signed towards the end of the season and eventually became head coach of Texas A&M. But can they actually do it?

Coming in at No. 36 on FanSided’s Preseason Top 50 rankings, the Florida State Seminoles.

Florida State football 2021 season in review

Where to begin?

Florida State forced overtime against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in overtime. Yet, they lost the game after a 37-yard field goal attempt was shanked wide left, allowing Notre Dame to pick up the 41-38 win. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Seminoles had a 17-14 lead against Jacksonville State in the final seconds but gave up a touchdown in the final seconds to lose.

The Seminoles did pick up some big wins, including their rivalry game against the Miami Hurricanes. Their season officially ended with a 24-21 loss to the Florida Gators. A 5-7 record equaled no bowl game appearance for Florida State.

Previewing Florida State Seminoles offense for 2022 season

Returning starters: QB Jordan Travis, WR Malik McClain, WR Ontaria Wilson, TE Camren McDonald, OL Robert Scott Jr., OL Dillan Gibbons, OL Maurice Smith, OL Darius Washington
Newcomers: WR Mychah Pittman (Oregon), OL Bless Harris (Lamar), RB Trey Benson (Oregon)
Impact player: Jordan Travis

The offense will remain relatively intact.

Jordan Travis is slotted in as the starting quarterback once again. Last year, he threw for 1,539 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions while completing 62.9-percent of his passes through 10 games.

Leading wide receiver for last season, Ontaria Wilson will be returning as well. In 2021, he caught 23 passes for a team-high 382 yards and five touchdowns.

but will have three newcomers added to their starting lineup. They have a new wide receiver in Mycah Pittman, who in his three years at Oregon recorded 38 catches for 547 yards and two touchdowns. There is another former Ducks player on the roster, and that is running back Trey Benson. There is also one new addition to the offensive, Bless Harris, who started off his college playing career with the Lamar Cardinals.

Previewing Florida State Seminoles defense for 2022 season

Returning starters: DE Derrick McClendon, NT Robert Cooper, DT Fabien Lovett, LB Dennis Briggs Jr., LB Kalen DeLoach, LB Amari Gainer, CB Renardo Green, S Jammie Robinson, S Akeem Dent, CB Omarion Cooper, NB Kevin Knowles II
Newcomers: LB Tatum Bethune (UCF)
Impact player: S Jammie Robinson

The Seminoles almost had the No. 1 overall recruit join their defense in Travis Hunter. But, a late push from Jackson State caused him to rescind his commitment from Florida State.

When talking about the defense, it will be the same. Defensive back Jammie Robinson is returning, and he is coming off of a great statistical season. He recorded 84 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles, all of which are team-highs.

There is one new addition to the starting defense, and that is linebacker Tatum Bethune, who spent his first three years playing for the UCF Knights. Bethune recorded 108 total tackles, 2 sacks 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.

Florida State football players awards watch for 2022 season

Jammie Robinson, Jim Thorpe/Bronco Nagurski/Chuck Bednarik

Given how well Robinson performed last season, he has already been placed on the watch lists for the Jim Thorpe, Bronco Nagurski, and Chuck Bednarik awards.

Tatum Bethune, Butkus

Bethune, who was the UCF Knights’ leading tackles last season, is on the watch list for the Butkus award, which is given to the best linebacker in college football.

Jordan Travis, Maxwell

Travis, who has the chance to turn things around in 2022, was named to the Maxwell award watch list for college player of the year.

Camren McDonald, Mackey

Camren McDonald is on the watch list for the John Mackey award for the best tight end in college. Just last year, McDonald caught 24 passes for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Alex Mastromanno, Ray Guy

The Ray Guy award is given to the best punter in the nation. Alex Mastromanno is on the watch list, after he punted 61 times for a total of 2,606 yards.

Florida State football biggest game on 2022 schedule

Of course, the easy choice for the biggest game of the season is against Clemson. But for the Seminoles, they could end their season on a high note by beating the Florida Gators for the first time since 2017.

Florida State football best-case scenario

The best possible case for the Seminoles is if they can pull off a win over one of the top ACC teams in either Clemson, North Carolina State or Wake Forest. If they can at least do that, they will clinch a winning season and a bowl game berth.

Florida State football worst-case scenario

Last year showed just how worse things can get for Florida State. Losing a “gimme” game against Duquense in the season-opener would have the fanbase losing hope just one week into the 2022 season. Hey, they lost to Jacksonville State last year on a walk-off touchdown. Anything can happen.

If they lose the season-opener and to all of Clemson, NC State or Wake Forest, the season will be lost.

Florida State football 2022 season prediction

This is an important season for the Seminoles, and it will be far from easy. Given that they will have to play the top three teams in the conference, their rivals in the Miami Hurricanes have gotten a boost thanks to the hiring of alum and former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal.

Even though there are games that are winnable for the Seminoles such as Georgia Tech, Duquense, and Syracuse, it looks as though they will be looking at a 6-6 record this season.

2022 record: 6-6

Florida State football 2022 bowl game prediction

Athlon Sports projects that Florida State will play Penn State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Coming tomorrow: No. 35 Boise State Broncos

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Next. College Football Rankings: FanSided Preseason Top 50. dark

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