Florida State football opponent recap: Week 6

Welcome to our weekly examination of FSU’s 2016 opponents. Week Six featured impressive performances, complete tanking, and even some hilarity. Let’s take a look.

Ole Miss (3-2): Ole Miss had a bye, but Chad Kelly did his best to make it an eventful weekend anyway.

Charleston Southern (2-2): Game postponed vs. Albany State

This was logical.

Louisville (4-1): Lamar Jackson posted an alarmingly anemic stat line vs. Bye

South Florida (5-1): Won 38-22 vs. East Carolina

The Bulls got it done on homecoming weekend in Tampa. Despite their continued strong play in 2016 and legitimate chance to win the AAC, The Daily Stampede writes that USF football attendance is in crisis. South Florida’s own players are not thrilled with the turnout. This is a shame, because USF is a good football team this year.

North Carolina (4-2): Lost 34-3 vs. Virginia Tech

This is one of the aforementioned bad performances. A week after downing the ‘Noles in Tallahassee, UNC got run off of their own field by Virginia Tech. Don’t look now, but the Hokies are looking pretty scary. This, combined with FSU’s defeat of Miami, puts Justin Fuente’s team in control in the Coastal Division. And while yes, the game was played in a hurricane, both teams played in it and one acquitted itself much better than the other.

Miami (4-1): You may have heard about a block taking place at a certain rock

Wake Forest (5-1): Won 28-9 vs. Syracuse

THOSE DEMON DEACS JUST KEEP ROLLING. It was gross in Winston-Salem due to the storm that has been previously alluded to, which hurt the Syracuse air raid more than the Clawfense. Still, Wake continues to play stingy defense and do just enough on offense to get the job done. Wake Forest is 5-1 and tied with Florida State in the Atlantic Division standings. The Deacs will travel to Tallahassee for a 3:30 game against the ‘Noles this weekend.

Bye: Played an unexpectedly large amount of teams this Saturday

Clemson (6-0): Won 56-10 at Boston College

Yeah, so these guys are looking scarier by the week. Clemson got the running game going, an acrobatic catch from Mike Williams, and survived a rough second quarter to blow out the Eagles in Chestnut Hill on Friday night. Some of the stuff they can do on the defensive line should not be allowed for the sake of human decency. I’m told FSU is supposed to face this team soon, but I will choose not to believe it until absolutely necessary.

North Carolina State (4-1): Won 10-3 vs. Notre Dame

Remember how I noted that there was some humor involved in this weekend’s opponent performances, dear reader? This was my favorite game that didn’t involve FSU. Watch the outtakes. This had everything you want in a noon game. Anytime someone opines that football shouldn’t be played in a hurricane, just show them that article. The Wolfpack now sits at 4-1 and travels to Clemson for a noon game in Week 7. Maybe there’s a chance for a ‘Pack win? I know, probably not.

Boston College (3-3): Lost 56-10 vs. Clemson

And now we shift from “LOL” back to “woof” for the next couple of entries. Although they were playing against a vastly superior team in terms of talent, BC continues to look hapless in 2016. BC Interruption is not thrilled with Steve Addazio, and one can understand why. Last season, the Eagles had one of, if not the best defense in the nation. They’ve taken a significant step back this season without a corresponding improvement on the offensive side. With wins only against UMASS, Wagner, and Buffalo, it’s safe to say that Addazio’s squad faces an uphill climb to make a bowl game this year.

Syracuse (2-4): Lost 28-9 at Wake Forest

This one wasn’t good, either. Nunes Magician understands the weather impacts, but argues that the loss was predominately due to Syracuse shooting itself in the foot repeatedly. Eric Dungey: Still alive despite again leading the team in rushing attempts. Did not have his best day, overall. Amba Etta-Tawo’s streak of 100+ yard receiving games ended at five. Syracuse hosts Virginia Tech next weekend, and Donovan McNabb is unlikely to be walking through that door anytime soon.

Florida (4-1): Did not play and may not make it up

By now you’ve heard this, as it has caused significant angst in the SEC, particularly in the East. This has significant implications in that divisional race, assuming you believe that the Gators can win out in SEC play and that Tennessee will probably lose to Alabama again. There’s a lot going on here and I won’t attempt to explain it. I’m just upset that this deprived us of the Purdue transfer quarterback battle for SEC supremacy, and you should be too.