Football:
Despite a bad 2017 FSU checks in at No. 3 in ESPN’s inaugural ACC Power Rankings.
FSU is the real wild card in the ACC. Last year was a massive disappointment that resulted in Fisher’s departure and Willie Taggart’s arrival. There are questions about who will helm the offense at QB. There are questions about who’ll step up at receiver, linebacker, DB. There are questions about how long it will take to adjust to Taggart’s system. But what’s certain is that FSU still has ample talent on its roster and there’s a weight off the shoulders of everyone involved now that Fisher’s tenure is in the rearview mirror. Worst-case scenario should be a return to respectability. Best-case scenario could be a real push for the Atlantic.
Phil Steele also has them finishing second in the Atlantic division but he wouldn’t be surprised if they won it (Insider).
FSU was preseason AP No. 2 last season and stood toe-to-toe with Alabama but lost quarterback Deondre Francois for the year and barely got back to a bowl game, finishing 7-6. The Seminoles have two quarterbacks who have been full-time starters and head coach Willie Taggart is happy with the talent he has inherited. Florida State does host Clemson and last season, even in a down year, had the ball in the fourth quarter down by three points on the Clemson side of the field. Florida State is also my No. 7 surprise team.
Bll Connelly’s FSU preview is here and it’s well worth the read; grab a coffee and strap in.
The Hokies and the Seminoles know what’s at stake on Labor Day; it’ll be the last game of opening weekend and the entire country will be watching.
Brian Burns likes what he sees from his defensive end teammates.
Miami’s turnover chain was a fun concept but the data is clear; turnovers are mostly luck.
Clemson has a quarterback dilemma too but it’s a good problem to have.
Recruiting:
2021 QB Jake Garcia has been offered by Florida State.
Four-star offensive lineman Will Putnam is one of the top targets left on FSU’s offensive line board and he has a final five:
With the season approaching... pic.twitter.com/FxgMHEhAic
— Will Putnam (@BigWillPut) July 21, 2018
ESPN updated its 2019 recruiting rankings; 12 of FSU’s 13 commitments are rated four-stars.
Alumni:
Lamarcus Joyner will make 11.3$ million under the franchise tag this year (over twice as much as his rookie deal) but it could be his last year in Los Angeles.
It took 57 plays but Peter Warrick’s debut in the top 100 plays of all-time is here.