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The picks are in: Florida State football game-by-game, regular season record predictions
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- The picks are in: Florida State football game-by-game, regular season record predictions
Florida State football enters the 2024 season with renewed optimism after the disappointing end to 2023.
The Seminoles are a favorite to be one of the 12 programs in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and head coach Mike Norvell's retooled roster kicks things off against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Dublin Ireland.
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Expectations are high as the Seminoles look to follow up last year's undefeated regular season and ACC title win with an encore performance.
With new faces like DJ Uiagalelei , Malik Benson and Marvin Jones Jr ready to make an impact, how does FSU perform this season?
Here is a game-by-game prediction from FSU beat writers Liam Rooney and Peter Holland Jr .
FSU football 2024 predicted regular season record
Liam: 11-1
The Seminoles surge to the top of the ACC and win the conference title for a second straight season, booking a spot in the expanded college football playoff. While it isn't the perfect regular season that last year brought, with a road loss coming against Notre Dame, FSU still cements itself as the team to beat in the conference. This team is constructed to win in different ways, and it will look very different from last season's squad, but with the talent depth on both sides of the football, the Seminoles will win in both tight games and blowout fashion. The Seminoles get a first-round CFP bye and win its quarterfinal to make the final four before losing to Oregon, who win the national title.
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Peter: 11-1
I debated whether the Seminoles could be a 10-2 or 11-1 team or even go undefeated for the second straight year, which they've done before. For now, the Seminoles are an 11-1 team and should win the ACC, qualifying them for a first-round bye in the new CFP. I believe the Seminoles will at least make a deep run into the playoffs and be one of the four teams remaining, ironically, a setting they could've been in last year. FSU could fall to Ohio State or Georgia, as I expect those two teams and Oregon to meet FSU. However, it won't be surprising if FSU somehow goes unbeaten and finds its way to the national championship game. For now, I give it to Ohio State to win it all.
Week 0: FSU vs. Georgia Tech
Liam:FSU wins 27-17
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Peter:FSU wins 19-9
The Seminoles enter the year with a chip on the shoulder and a point to prove, and a week-zero victory over the Yellow Jackets sets the tone for a successful season. Matchup wise FSU is able to keep up with the Georgia Tech skill players and the defense can contain Haynes King and his ability to get out of the pocket. DJ Uiagalelei has a solid performance in his first win as a Seminoles quarterback.
Week 1: FSU vs. Boston College
Liam:FSU wins 38-20
Peter:FSU wins 24-13
Last season the Eagles gave the Seminoles one of the toughest games of the season, with FSU holding off a surging Boston College and Thomas Castellanos. The dual-threat ability of Castellanos gave the FSU defense trouble last year, but this year the defense is able to keep up with the crafty Castellanos and hold on for the win. A dominant running game takes the Seminoles' offense over the edge, with Roydell Williams and Lawrance Toafili shining.
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Week 3: FSU vs. Memphis
Nov 18, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Brock Glenn (11) and head coach Mike Norvell talk after a play during the fourth quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
Liam:FSU wins 42-21
Peter:FSU wins 34-10
A familiar face comes to town as Mike Norvell faces his former team in Memphis. While the Tigers project to be one of the top teams in the American Conference, possibly having a shot at the playoffs, the Seminoles will handle the challenge with ease. Norvell gets the win over his former ball club and the defense puts on a show to push FSU to a 3-0 start to the season.
Week 4: FSU vs. California
Liam:FSU wins 34-10
Peter:FSU wins 37-12
A first-time ACC matchup for FSU and Cal comes to Tallahassee and the Seminoles give the Golden Bears a loss. Cal has a lot of talent and can present a challenge, especially with running back Jaydn Ott, but the Seminoles are able to limit Ott's damage and pick up a fourth win to start the season. The speed of the skill position players could be a factor in this one, with Malik Benson and Jalen Brown two players that could make their speed felt in this one.
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Week 5: FSU at SMU
Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Patrick Payton (11) reacts during the fourth quarter Dec. 2, 2023, against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Liam:FSU wins 31-23
Peter:FSU wins 34-20
The Seminoles' first road trip in the new ACC comes with a challenge against the Mustangs. This will be one of the more challenging games for FSU as SMU looks to pick up a signature victory in the program's inaugural season in the ACC. The quarterback duo of Preston Stone and Kevin Jennings present an intriguing challenge for the defense, but FSU hangs on in a tight game in Dallas.
Week 6: FSU vs. Clemson
Liam:FSU wins 34-28
Peter:FSU wins 24-23
The Tigers will be out for revenge after losing last season's thriller against FSU in overtime. However, Uiagaleleli will be the one getting his revenge as the former Clemson quarterback puts together one of his better displays of the season to take down his former team. The game could be a deciding factor in who makes it to the ACC championship game, and this win will give the Seminoles the edge.
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Week 8: FSU at Duke
Liam:FSU win 38-17
Peter:FSU wins 28-7
With Mike Elko at Texas A&M now and Manny Diaz stepping into the head coaching role for the Blue Devils, this game will look much different to how last season's dogfight played out in Tallahassee. The Seminoles come into Durham with momentum and pick up a win to remain undefeated ahead of a rivalry matchup with Miami. Expect the running backs to play a big part in this one.
Week 9: FSU at Miami
Liam:FSU wins 35-27
Peter:Miami wins 24-21
The first potential loss of the season comes against Miami. While the Seminoles have had success against the Hurricanes in recent seasons, there is a sense of do-or-die for the team out of Coral Gables as the talent is there for Mario Christobal to do something special. We are split on this one, with Peter giving Miami the edge and Liam picking FSU to continue its run of wins over the Hurricanes to remain undefeated.
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Week 10: FSU vs. North Carolina
Liam:FSU wins 45-27
Peter:FSU wins 38-17
This is a different Tar Heels team, Drake Maye is in the NFL and the roster looks a little different as it comes to Tallahassee. FSU is able to lean on its defense and get some turnovers to give Uiagalelei and company more chances to score. This could be a big game for Uiagalelei as the Seminoles get the victory ahead of a road test in South Bend, Indiana.
Week 11: FSU at Notre Dame
Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Lawrance Toafili (9) runs the ball during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.
Liam:Notre Dame wins 24-17
Peter:FSU wins 28-25
It's another split decision from us as Liam has the Seminoles taking a tight road lose to the Irish and Peter has FSU coming out with a win. A chilly early November showdown with Notre Dame gives FSU arguably its toughest test of the season with head coach Marcus Freeman having the Irish up for the challenge. The Seminoles could exploit a weaker Irish offensive line with its strong defensive line, but this one looks to be another classic in the historic Notre Dame vs. FSU matchup.
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Week 12: FSU vs. Charleston Southern
Liam:FSU wins 49-10
Peter:FSU wins 56-3
The Seminoles get a blowout victory ahead of welcoming Florida to town, beating Charleston Southern with ease and allowing for some rotation in the team to take place. After a tough stretch of game, the Seminoles will need to stay sharp, but a complete performance from the entire offense gives the team confidence heading into the final game of the season against Florida.
Week 13: FSU vs. Florida
Liam:FSU wins 27-23
Peter:FSU wins 28-21
FSU vs. Florida has been a game that has brought out the thrills, nerves, cheers and tears for so many on both sides of the rivalry game, with the Seminoles holding the recent advantage. This won't be a walk in the park, and this game never is, but FSU's season ends with a big victory. The defense comes through with some turnovers to seal the final regular season victory of the year for the Seminoles.
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Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football game, regular season predictions for 2024 season
