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A way too early game-by-game prediction for the 2024 Florida State football season
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- A way too early game-by-game prediction for the 2024 Florida State football season
Florida State football knows what its schedule looks like for the 2024 season .
The Seminoles , coming off a 13-1 and first ACC Championship since 2014 are looking to qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff following a snub of the final 4-team CFP in 2023.
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Quarterback Jordan Travis , wide receiver Keon Coleman , running back Trey Benson and defensive end Jared Verse , among others headline the talent headed to the 2024 NFL Draft which FSU is attempting to replace.
Democrat writer Ehsan Kassim made his way-too-early predictions on how the 2024 season will play out, now with a full schedule known.
August 24 vs. Georgia Tech (at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland)
Win (1-0)
This could be a tougher-than-expected game, as the Yellow Jackets went 7-6 in the first year under head coach Brent Key and they played UGA very tough in the in-state rivalry game. But I do expect FSU has the better roster and will look to get the bad taste of the Orange Bowl out of their mouth.
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September 2 vs. Boston College (Labor Day)
Win (2-0)
Quarterback Thomas Castellanos gave FSU all it could handle in Boston in 2023, almost pulling off a miraculous comeback victory. But this being the home opener, the Seminoles will have a sold-out crowd and
September 14 vs. Memphis
Win (3-0)
Head coach Mike Norvell plays his former team for the first time as the head coach at FSU. The Tigers always seem to have a sneaky good team, but the Seminoles are the more talented team on paper and should win this at home.
September 21 vs. California
Win (4-0)
Welcome to the Atlantic Coast Conference, California. Wait, what?
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Anyways, the Bears make their way to Tallahassee in the first season in the ACC. This is another game where FSU is the flat-out better team and should win this game.
September 28 at SMU
Win (5-0)
Another welcome to the ACC game. This time Norvell has a homecoming to the Dallas area. FSU should again be the favorite, this time in its first true road game of the season. Pencil this in as a win.
October 5 vs. Clemson
Win (6-0)
This could be the first game I feel like FSU could really lose in 2024. But the Tigers face a lot of uncertainty at quarterback and on offense as a whole. The Seminoles should win their second straight over the Dabo Swinney-led Clemson.
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DJ Uiagalelei playing against his former team is the fun storyline in this one. Another reason I feel confident FSU could win this one, behind their new leader.
October 18 at Duke (Friday)
Win (7-0)
No Riley Leonard and head coach Mike Elko are at Texas A&M . It feels like the window has closed quickly for the Blue Devils as a contender. FSU will face familiar faces in head coach Manny Diaz and former FAMU head coach and current Duke running back coach Willie Simmons.
October 26 at Miami
Loss (7-1)
Mario Cristobal is in a prove-it season and the Hurricanes added one of the better transfer QBs in Cam Ward , along with a very talented signing class. This one won't be popular, but Miami is going to be hungry to get back at the Seminoles for the 45-3 loss in Miami Gardens two seasons ago.
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November 2 vs. North Carolina
Win (8-1)
Nice bounceback win for the Seminoles against a Tar Heel team that is figuring out life after Drake Maye . This will be the first time the teams square off since the 2021 season when FSU knocked off UNC (35-25).
November 9 at Notre Dame
Loss (8-2)
The Irish are regularly a top 10-15ish team. Playing in South Bend, Indiana is never easy. Until this FSU team proves its identity, it's hard to project this one as a win for the Seminoles. Things could change by the season, but this is a "way too early a prediction."
November 23 vs. Charleston Southern
Win (9-2)
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FSU uses a much-needed cupcake game following two losses in three weeks. The Seminoles win this one and can rest some players coming off a bye week to rest up for rival Florida and a potential ACC Championship Game.
November 30 vs. Florida
Win (10-2)
The last two years between the Gators and Seminoles have been tight contests. This could be very similar, depending on how Florida comes out of its brutal 2024 schedule and if head coach Billy Napier is still employed. Still, FSU is the better team on paper and should win its third straight over its rival.
Overall
FSU goes 10-2 in a "rebuilding" season and earns a spot in the ACC Championship Game. It's way too early to project who they play, but a rematch against Miami is not off the table here.
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Either way, the Seminoles only losing two games after the talent that left for the NFL Draft is a very good season and the team should be very much alive for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports), Instagram (tlhnolesports) and YouTube channel (NoleSportsTD).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football predictions: Way-too-early game picks for 2024 season
