Florida State football opponent recap: Week 8

Welcome to our weekly look at how FSU’s opponents played over the previous weekend. I know, I know. Bye is a difficult opponent even for your trusty TN writers. Let’s go!

Ole Miss (3-4): Lost 38-21 at LSU

Leonard Fournette returned, which spelled doom for the Rebels in Tiger Stadium. Da Coach O is a formidable interim, and Red Cup Rebellion feels that Ole Miss is headed in the wrong direction. To make matters worse, a four-star LB de-committed yesterday. Why yes, FSU is also after him, why do you ask? It is also fun to mock the Rebels for being the best four-loss team in America, even though it’s certainly true.

Charleston Southern (4-2): Won 38-3 vs. Presbyterian

Good work from Chuck South to knock off the mighty Blue Hose.

Louisville (6-1): Won 54-13 vs. NC State

So, the Cardinals came out throwing hammers against the ‘Pack on Saturday. This may have looked familiar. Louisville is downright frightening when they’re rolling, and Lamar Jackson continued his Heisman bid with another outstanding day. This thing was over so, so quickly. Louisville finishes at Virginia, at BC, vs. Wake, at Houston, and vs. Kentucky. If ever the ACC were to have two playoff teams, this seems like the year for the Cards to slide into that fourth slot at 11-1.

South Florida (6-2): Lost 46-30 at Temple

The Bulls fell to Matt Rhule’s Owls on the road on Friday night. Neither The Daily Stampede nor Willie Taggart were pleased with the effort in Philadelphia. Sledding does not get any easier this week, as the Bulls will face Navy in a very important contest in the AAC. They’ll then face Bye before taking on Memphis, SMU, and UCF to close the regular season.

North Carolina (6-2): Won 35-14 at Virginia

Another week, another home loss for the ‘Hoos. It wasn’t the prettiest start, but Carolina ultimately pulled away from an outmatched UVA team in Charlottesville. The Heels remain tied atop the Coastal Division standings, but Virginia Tech owns the head-to-head tiebreaker against them, as well as the Costal Division record tiebreaker. The schedule looks pretty manageable for the Tar Heels down the stretch, though.

Miami (4-3): Lost 37-16 at Virginia Tech

Hmm. Miami collapsing following a loss to FSU, you say? Yeah, yeah, the depth is a legitimate potential reason for it rather than a continuation of the Golden culture. But still, it’s fun. Brad Kaaya is not having the season that many UM fans hoped and believed that he would, and the defensive youth and thinness is showing. Miami goes to reeling Notre Dame this weekend and hoooo boy, that’s a scene I cannot quite wrap my head around. They then have to play Pitt and a Virginia program that has seemed to own them for no reason whatsoever of late, so this could get hilarious pretty fast.

Wake Forest (5-2): Bye

One could argue that this was either a fortunate or quite unfortunate time for the Deacs to face the open week. They need one win against Army, Virginia, or Boston College to become bowl eligible down the stretch.

Bye: Handed your faithful writer a resounding defeat this past weekend

Clemson (7-0): Bye

Didn’t seem to struggle with Dexter Lawrence, which was a first for anybody

North Carolina State (4-3): Lost 54-13 at Lousiville

The receiving end of those thrown UL hammers is not a fun position in which to find oneself, as FSU fans can attest. Dave Doeren was preaching that this was the ‘Pack’s second chance to defeat a top team after coming so close against Clemson the week prior. It was an admirable thought, Dave. The Wolfpack will now try to regroup against Boston College before hosting your ‘Noles on 11/5, which doesn’t even need to be near Halloween to invoke a house of horrors for FSU fans.

Boston College (3-4): Lost 28-20 vs. Syracuse

Uh, somehow BC was favored in this game? I learned that on GameDay, as I assumed most of the country did. Perplexing as it was, BC was in this game late. An aside, this game was scheduled to start at 12:30 with Bama-A&M to follow at 3:30 in ACC country. Why on earth are games in this day and age slotted for 3-hour blocks? Unless you’re Wisconsin-Iowa, there is absolutely no chance that’s happening. I mean, A&M-Tennessee lasted over five hours a few weeks ago, and that’s not an exaggeration. Wait, who were we talking about? BC? Oh yeah they’re 0-4 in the ACC again and Addazio’s probably getting fired this year or next.

Syracuse (4-4): Won 28-20 at Boston College

The Orange now have four wins. They need two against Clemson, NC State, FSU, and Pitt to go bowling. That’s a tall order, but not out of the realm of possibility. Eric Dungey check: Still alive, had good game again with 434 yards and three touchdowns. Amba Etta-Tawo: Also still very good, and caught the winning 68-yard touchdown from the aforementioned Dungey. FSU gets to go up to Central New York and play these guys before Florida. At least they aren’t LSU?

Florida (5-1): Bye

A common opponent for 2016 UF, which represents a bold step-up in scheduling philosophy. Bravo.