FSU football schedule heavy on quality, light on November recruiting opportunities

Now that we know the 2016 Florida State football schedule, it's time to take a look at just how things present themselves for the 'Noles and a possible run at this year's College Football Playoff.

Marquee games

Florida State has an awesome home schedule a year after serving up a bit of a clunker.

As we've known for quite some time, FSU will open up against Ole Miss in Orlando's Citrus Bowl. Frankly, this couldn't be a better opener for the 'Noles. They'll take on what should be a ranked Rebels squad on what is technically a neutral field in their home state, thus drawing ample Florida State fan support. This game includes the perfect amount of risk-to-reward when you figure in the fact that Ole Miss loses a ton of talent to the NFL, while Florida State figures to be a top-10 team with a defense seemingly equipped to get after Reb QB Chad Kelly in front of a primetime Labor Day evening audience. Simply put, the 'Noles have a tremendous stage on which to make a huge statement against an SEC opponent that is respected yet inherently beatable.

The Seminoles also bring Clemson to Tallahassee, and the Tigers might be the No. 1 team in the country.

North Carolina also makes the trip after winning 11 games in 2015 and challenging for the College Football Playoff.

Good spacing

After what should be a physical, hard-fought game against Ole Miss, FSU gets the perfect remedy: a home opener against FCS opponent Charleston Southern, an ideal contest in which the 'Noles should get up quickly and have an opportunity to take a look at their depth, especially at quarterback, a position still under debate in Tallahassee.

Florida State also has Wake Forest and then a bye before Clemson, giving it two weeks to heal up for that most important game of the year.

FSU would prefer to have a cupcake before the Florida game, but playing in a dome against Syracuse is OK if the Seminoles do have to play a road game.

Lack of November recruiting weekends

Florida State has only one home game to host recruits in November, as recruits are not able to visit during a Friday game as they are typically playing games of their own. Florida State will be looking to bring in huge groups of recruits in October when North Carolina and Clemson come to town.

Schedule

9/5 Ole Miss (Monday, Orlando)
9/10 Charleston Southern
9/17 at Louisville
9/24 at South Florida
10/1 North Carolina
10/8 at Miami
10/15 Wake Forest
10/22 Bye
10/29 Clemson
11/5 at NC State
11/11 Boston College (Friday, Veterans day)
11/19 at Syracuse
11/26 Florida