To build excitement for the upcoming season, I have released an individual team preview for each of my top 25 teams. Now, I bring you the final season preview: #1 Florida State.
2013 Review
Florida State came into 2013 ranked #11. They had a ton of talent, but an Freshman quarterback who didn't have much experience. The Freshman started his first career game by completing 25 of 27 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team to a 41-13 win over Pittsburgh. Jameis Winston would continue to light up opposing defenses all season. Florida State would roll through the next three games against Nevada, Bethune-Cookman and Boston College, before facing their first ranked opponent of the year. On October 5th, the Seminoles destroyed undefeated 25th ranked Maryland 63-0, putting themselves on the map. The next week they were on gameday, getting ready to face the favorite in the ACC on the road against #3 Clemson. This was the game that thrust Jameis Winston into the lead for the Heisman, as he threw for 444 yards and three touchdowns, leading his team to a 51-14 win. They would continue to roll through everyone else, including a 41-14 win over then #7 Miami to finish a perfect 12-0 season, and go into the ACC Championship ranked #1 in the country. They would beat Duke 45-7 in the ACC title, and then come back from down big to win 34-31 against Auburn in the National Championship. They had one of the most impressive stats of the season, as they outscored the five ranked teams they faced through the season 234-66.
Season Outlook
It is hard to improve on a season in which you won a national championship and had a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, but Florida State might be even better this season. Jameis Winston will be returning for his second season, and the talent he has around him is improved from a year ago. They open the season on ABC's prime time game, with gameday coming to town, as the face Oklahoma State. After an easy win over The Citadel in week two, they have their conference opener against Clemson, who won't be anywhere as much of a challenge as they were last year, and based on the game last year, they won't struggle to win. They then have three very winnable games against NC State, Wake Forest and Syracuse, before back to back tough games against Notre Dame and Louisville. After an easy win over Virginia, they face both Miami and Florida in two of their last three games, with Boston College in between the two. Florida State has a much tougher schedule then last season, but they should be able to roll through every opponent, as long as Winston remains healthy, and if he can, I don't see how Florida State would enter the postseason not ranked #1.
Season Prediction
12-0 (9-0) 1st in ACC Atlantic
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