Starting next week, all eyes will be focused on Florida State-Alabama, or what’s being called the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Opener of All Time). Before we get too swept up in the hype of the No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup, let’s take a macro view of the ‘Noles’ upcoming football season.
1. Defense better shine or else
No need to rehash the horror story that was the Seminole defense during the first half of the 2016 season. Nevertheless, it’s hard to discount the fact that the Seminoles gave up an average of 42 points a game against their first four FBS opponents, directly resulting in two losses. Even though that number dropped to a respectful 18.5 points over the course of FSU’s final eight games, it’s hard to shake the memory of that horrendous start.
At the time, most of the blame for the early struggles fell on defensive coordinator Charles Kelly. But a rash of injuries to key starters, including Derwin James, Josh Sweat, Derrick Nnadi and Nate Andrews should also be taken into account. Moreover, facing a ridiculous gauntlet of elite quarterbacks and offenses can’t be understated. But none of these extenuating factors should play a role in 2017.
The current Florida State squad features a veteran-laden defense that is both deep and talented. Even an injury or two to key starters should not have the same adverse impact as it did early last season. There is enough experience across the board to prevent a massive drop-off in production should a couple of backups get thrust into the starting lineup.
Top offensive performers Dalvin Cook and Travis Rudolph are now gone, and the line returns just one full-time starter from last season. That means the defense will probably need to carry the load, especially early as a young offense finds its footing. Should the defense fall short of expectations as it did in 2016, it could be disastrous for a team with College Football Playoff aspirations.
2. Which games besides Alabama are potential stumbling blocks
It’s easy to get myopic about the season opener with all of the hype surrounding it. However, the ‘Noles will face plenty of other formidable challenges after the first game. Here’s a look at my top five “other” games on FSU’s 2017 schedule.
