No. 3 - 2012 Football Season
Final Record: 12-2
Preseason/Final Ranking: No. 7 / No. 8 (Coaches Poll)
Bowl Game: Defeated Northern Illinois, 31-10 (Orange Bowl)
ACC Finish: 7-1 (No. 1 in Atlantic Division and ACC champions). Defeated Georgia Tech, 21-15, in the ACC championship game.
Versus Rivals: 2-1
Win streak: Five games twice
Key players: QB EJ Manuel, DE Brandon Jenkins, CB Xavier Rhodes, DB Lamarcus Joyner, DE Bjoern Werner, K Dustin Hopkins, RB Chris Thompson
Season Wrap
It was the season that set the stage for three straight ACC championships, a national championship and the Seminoles’ incredible 29-game win streak. Prior to 2012, the book was still out on new head coach Jimbo Fisher. Even though recruiting had picked up and the win total was improving, FSU was still lacking championships and major bowl victories.
That all changed in 2012.
Florida State notched its first ACC championship since 2005 and claimed its first major bowl (BCS) victory since 1999. With a 12-win season and an Orange Bowl championship in hand, all signs pointed to FSU being a team on the rise. That would come to fruition the following season when Jameis Winston would lead the ‘Noles to arguably the best season in school history and FSU would win its third national championship.
