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Florida State football best-case scenario, reasons for optimism for 2024 season
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- Florida State football best-case scenario, reasons for optimism for 2024 season
Florida State football head coach Mike Norvell has never been shy to admit what he demands from his team.
The best.
That demand led to an undefeated regular season and the program's first ACC championship since 2014 last year, with the Seminoles ' only loss coming in the defeat to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
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As the kickoff of the 2024 regular season nears , the defending ACC champion Seminoles are looking for a repeat of the program's best season of the last decade.
While Jordan Travis , Johnny Wilson , Keon Coleman and Trey Benson are gone, there is a new crop of FSU players led by DJ Uiagalelei , Malik Benson and Marvin Jones Jr . looking to make a similar impact to those who came before them.
The foundations have been laid for the Seminoles in fall camp but with a trip to Dublin, Ireland for a week-zero ACC matchup with Georgia Tech on the horizon it's time to take a deeper look at the season.
Here is the best-case scenario for the Seminoles' season and the reasons to be optimistic.
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Seminoles win ACC title, compete in inaugural 12-team CFP playoff
FSU football players participate in fall practice as the team prepares for Georgia Tech at the Albert J Dunlap training center on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.
Best case scenario: Undefeated / 10 + win season, win ACC title and make CFP final four.
The best-case scenario for the Seminoles' season is clear.
The Seminoles win a second straight ACC title and compete in the later rounds of the inaugural 12-team CFP playoff. In this scenario, FSU is able to navigate its schedule with relative comfort, likely winning 10 or more games, possibly undefeated for the second year in a row en route to the ACC title.
For this to happen it would mean quarterback DJ Uiagalelei put together his best campaign to lead the offense and the defense lives up to the hype as one of the nation's bests.
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An ACC title and undefeated season give the program an automatic bye into the second round and wins over Clemson, Notre Dame, Miami and Florida give the Seminoles big game experience. The program enters the playoff with a point to prove after what FSU felt was a snub from last season's final four.
The playoffs are unknown, nobody knows the impact of an expanded 12-team playoff yet and what playing in the first round or receiving a bye will do for a team.
That said, anything can happen in a playoff environment, and in this scenario, the Seminoles likely match with one of Texas , Oregon , Ohio State or get a rematch with Georgia in the quarterfinals or semifinals. In a game like that, anything can happen, but it would be the biggest test FSU would face all season.
Reason to be optimistic for the 2024 Seminoles team
FSU football players participate in fall practice as the team prepares for Georgia Tech at the Albert J Dunlap training center on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.
The Seminoles' defense is likely going to be one of the best in the nation, and that unit will be able to keep FSU in almost any contest it plays this season if the offense struggles, and it will likely get a few scores to help out.
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The real optimism comes from the defensive backs Fentrell Cypress, Azareye'h Thomas and Shyheim Brown. They all look like NFL talents and have been lockdown in coverage of the wide receivers during fall camp, making impressive plays to disrupt the passing game and showing a keen eye for an interception.
Pair that unit with the defensive front that features Joshua Farmer , Darrell Jackson, Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr., among others, the defense could be exceptional and a key reason for the Seminoles to be one of the last teams standing come playoff time.
The running back room looks to be at a high level, and if Uiagalelei carries over the form he showed for Oregon State last season, there is a high ceiling for the FSU offense. His connection with wide receiver Malik Benson and tight end Kyle Morlcok looks to be strong.
Speed is a massive strength for the skill position players, which could be the key to letting Uiagalelei or Brock Glenn show off their deep ball and blow open defense coverages. The wide receiver room is filled with speed and the group found their stride late in fall camp, possibly peaking at the right time.
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The duo of Benson and Jalen Brown gives the Seminoles two players who can take the top of a defense, but also crafty route runners in short-yardage situations.
The final reason to be optimistic is the coaching staff. Norvell is the defending national coach of teh year and has turned the Seminoles back into a contender during his tenure.
Retaining last year's staff and adding some key additions to the coaching staff like Ernie Sims and Rick Stockstill, the cohesion and consistency of the staff means everyone knows what to expect and it allows for detailed preparation.
There is a high ceiling for the Seminoles to try and reach this season, with the first step coming on Aug. 24 against Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland.
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How to watch FSU vs. Georgia Tech
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Date: Saturday, August 24
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Time: Noon ET
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Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
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TV: ESPN
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Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial ), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
FSU football 2024 schedule
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Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN
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Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
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Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
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Sept. 21 vs. California
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Sept. 28 at SMU
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Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
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Oct. 18 at Duke
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Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
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Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
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Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
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Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
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Nov. 30: Florida
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Dec. 7:ACC Championship
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football best-case scenario: College Football Playoff, DJ Uiagalelei
