Can the Seminoles Land on top?

The Florida State Seminoles have worked themselves into being relevant again for the first time since the 2014 season. The Seminoles lost to Oregon in the first edition of the College Football Playoff. Since the departure of national champion coach Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles haven’t shown that they can stay at the top of college football, but now, under year four of head coach Mike Norvell the Seminoles look to capitalize on the best team they've had in years. After a 2022 campaign where it left them with a 10-3 record and champions of the Cheeze-it bowl, they look to finally reclaim the ACC Championship and compete on the national stage and luckily for them, they have the pieces to do just that.

Offensively, the Seminoles return 8 starters from last year's campaign who ranked 16th nationally in scoring with just over 36 points a game. They also ranked 10th in the country in total offense at 484.2 yards a game. Those starters will be vital to FSU’s success in 2023, beginning with quarterback Jordan Travis. In 2022, Travis threw for 3,124 yards and 24 touchdowns. I fully expect Travis to be an elite playmaker for the Seminoles as he will also be surrounded by elite players all over the field. Just to name a few: Junior running back, Trey Benson who ran for 990 yards, 9 touchdowns and averaged 6.4 yards a carry. You also throw in FSU returning their leading receiver, Junior, Johnny Wilson. Wilson had 43 receptions, 897 yards and 5 Touchdowns. All of this paired with a loaded and tested offensive line makes the Seminoles a contender not just in the ACC but also in the Playoff.

Defensively, the Seminoles are also returning a wealth of talent to a team that recently ranked 20th nationally in scoring defense with 20.6 points per game. Their defense is led by senior and leading tackler Tatum Bethune. With him the Seminoles return All-ACC defensive end and sack leader Jared Verse and return all four members of the secondary. It is safe to say that this team is in good hands defensively. Experience and depth will make this side of the ball a pain in the neck to the ACC and anyone they have on their schedule.

This year is expected to be a breakout year for Florida State as they have elite game changers on both sides of the ball. In a year where the ACC is down and Clemson isn't looking like they have looked in recent years, it's the perfect opportunity for the Noles to take that next step forward. They have talent and experience that will take this team to where they want to be and as long as they stay healthy they can get there. My early season prediction for FSU is an 11-1 season where they drop the opener to LSU and then run the table winning the ACC. Florida State is one of my picks to return to the College Football Playoff in 2023. I believe that Jordan Travis will have a big year and truly carry this team forward on his way to NYC for the Heisman ceremony in December.