Florida State has had an awful play in 2024, where they sit with a 1-9 record. Most individuals (other than ESPN’s Paul Finebaum and Greg McElroy) thought that the Seminoles could have a chance to win the conference and make the College Football Playoff.
However, the truth of the matter is that this version of the Seminoles has been so disappointing that the preseason over/under win total of 9.5 failed to cash after three games. I still believe that head football coach Mike Norvell is still the guy to fix the mess that he created.
It hurts my soul to admit that both Paul Finebaum and Greg McElroy were right in the offseason for the Seminoles. An undefeated Florida State was left out of last year’s College Football Playoff over a one-loss Alabama squad.
With Finebaum, he has always been an SEC-biased analyst. He has made a living off making headlines with what he says. It is worth mentioning that he works for ESPN, which favors the SEC in a ton of their coverage. In the offseason, Finebaum stated that Florida State and Michigan would be the two teams in the preseason AP poll that would finish the season unranked.
As for McElroy, he was very supportive of Florida State on its road to the College Football Playoff. The former Alabama quarterback shifted his thought process and then stated on Selection Sunday that the Seminoles should not be in the invitational due to not being one of the four best teams. McElroy then stated that Florida State would take a massive step back in 2024.
Seminole fans were angry at both individuals in the offseason and were immediately silenced by the play on the field. I hope that Florida State can somehow hush the doubters out in 2025.
In the world of college football, predictions, analysis, and preseason rankings often serve as the backbone of early-season discussions. Few teams, however, attract as much scrutiny as the Florida State Seminoles, a program that has experienced both moments of greatness and significant challenges in recent years. As the 2024 season began, ESPN analysts—like many others—were cautiously optimistic about Florida State’s potential but also acutely aware of the hurdles the Seminoles faced. By midseason, unfortunately, it became clear that many of their predictions had been right, and the Seminoles’ season had taken a disappointing turn.
### The 2024 Preseason Optimism
Heading into the 2024 season, Florida State had all the ingredients for success. The Seminoles were coming off a strong 2023 campaign, which included a victory in the Orange Bowl and a return to national prominence. They had a talented roster with key players, including quarterback Jordan Travis, who had emerged as one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football, and a solid recruiting class that promised depth and talent.
ESPN analysts highlighted Florida State as one of the top teams in the ACC and a potential playoff contender. Their analysis was based on several factors: the return of key offensive players, a stout defense, and the leadership of head coach Mike Norvell, who had shown promise in his first few seasons with the program. Moreover, FSU’s offense, led by Travis, was expected to be one of the most potent in the nation, and the defense was bolstered by key recruits and experienced veterans.
Florida State’s schedule, however, was a double-edged sword. While they had the talent to compete with any team, the Seminoles would have to navigate a challenging slate of opponents, including high-profile games within the ACC and non-conference matchups that could make or break their season. ESPN analysts, while excited about Florida State’s potential, acknowledged that a tough schedule and the pressures of living up to expectations could be significant obstacles.
### The Cracks Begin to Show
As the season unfolded, it became clear that Florida State was struggling to meet the lofty expectations placed upon them. Their early games were a mix of close victories and disappointing performances. Jordan Travis, while still a talented quarterback, was unable to maintain the level of play that had made him a Heisman contender the previous season. Turnovers, inconsistent play-calling, and a lack of depth at key positions began to haunt the Seminoles.
Defensively, the team was unable to stop high-powered offenses, allowing teams to exploit weaknesses in their secondary. The defense, which was expected to be a strength, had its moments but ultimately fell short in critical situations. In games that could have been program-defining, Florida State struggled to make plays when it mattered most. In particular, their matchups with top-tier ACC teams—such as Clemson and North Carolina—revealed glaring weaknesses that analysts had feared.
ESPN analysts had predicted that Florida State’s defense would be a concern, particularly in their ability to match up against the elite offenses in the conference. While the defense had flashes of brilliance, it ultimately failed to deliver consistently against the most dynamic offenses in the ACC. This inconsistency became a central theme of Florida State’s season.
On the offensive side, the Seminoles’ running game failed to establish a dominant presence. While Travis was still capable of making plays with his legs and arm, the offensive line did not provide the necessary protection for him to fully succeed. Injuries to key players along the offensive line and at running back only compounded the team’s struggles. As the season wore on, it became clear that Florida State’s offensive line had not progressed as expected, and their lack of a reliable ground game was holding back an otherwise talented offense.
### A Missed Opportunity Against Ranked Opponents
Florida State’s most crucial games in 2024 were against ranked opponents—teams that could determine their playoff hopes. Unfortunately, these were the games in which the Seminoles failed to rise to the occasion. Whether it was Clemson, North Carolina, or even teams like Duke and Miami, Florida State could not get over the hump. Against top-ranked ACC teams, Florida State’s weaknesses were exposed, and the Seminoles were unable to put together a full, dominant game on either side of the ball.
One of the most glaring losses came against Clemson, a game that Florida State had circled on their calendar as a must-win if they hoped to make a playoff push. The Tigers, despite their own struggles, were able to overpower Florida State’s defense and stifle the Seminoles’ offense. The loss was a microcosm of the Seminoles’ season: flashes of brilliance followed by moments of failure at critical junctures.
In another key matchup against North Carolina, Florida State had an opportunity to make a statement on the national stage. But once again, inconsistency plagued their efforts. The offense stalled in the second half, and the defense was unable to prevent big plays. The loss was a devastating blow to Florida State’s playoff hopes, and ESPN analysts who had predicted the Seminoles’ struggles in big games were vindicated.
### The Inconsistent Quarterback Play
One of the most talked-about aspects of Florida State’s 2024 season was the performance of Jordan Travis. Coming off a stellar 2023 campaign, Travis entered the season with Heisman aspirations. However, inconsistency and struggles in key moments seemed to hold him back. His decision-making, while still impressive at times, was marred by uncharacteristic turnovers, and his ability to lead the team in clutch situations was questioned.
ESPN analysts had noted that for Florida State to reach its potential, Travis would need to be at his best in big games. Unfortunately, in crucial matchups, Travis failed to deliver consistently, and his play reflected the team’s overall inconsistency. At times, it seemed that the weight of expectations was too much for him to bear. While he certainly had moments of brilliance, they were often overshadowed by mistakes that kept the Seminoles from winning the big games they needed to secure a playoff spot.
### Closing the Season with Disappointment
As the 2024 season drew to a close, it became clear that Florida State had fallen short of its preseason expectations. ESPN analysts had predicted that the Seminoles would be a team to watch, but they were also wary of the hurdles that would ultimately limit their success. Unfortunately, those predictions rang true. The Seminoles’ inability to consistently perform against top-tier competition, combined with injuries and issues on both sides of the ball, led to another season of unfulfilled promise.
For Florida State, the 2024 season will be remembered as one of what could have been—a season that started with so much hope but ultimately ended in frustration. The Seminoles will have to regroup, reassess, and work hard in the offseason to get back to the level of play that their fans, analysts, and players know they are capable of.
### Conclusion
In the end, ESPN analysts were unfortunately right about the Seminoles in 2024. While the talent was there, the execution was not, and Florida State’s season was defined by inconsistency, missed opportunities, and a failure to perform on the national stage. For a program that has seen its fair share of highs and lows, this season will serve as a reminder that even the most promising teams can falter when they don’t live up to the moment. The Seminoles will now have to look to the future, hoping that next season will be the one where they finally put it all together.
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