Since the start of Jimbo Fisher’s reign as Florida State’s football head coach, the Seminoles have been an excellent football squad, winning 58 games while losing just 11 from 2010-2014 and claiming the 2013-14 National Championship. However, after having many starters drafted in the recent NFL Draft, Fisher could have his first tough season as a Seminoles’ head coach, after losing top-tier quarterback Jameis Winston, along with top wide receiver Rashad Greene and excellent tight end Nick O’Leary. Besides those top offensive players, Fisher also lost running back Karlos Williams, cornerbacks Ronald Darby and P.J Williams, offensive guards Bobby Hart and Tre’ Jackson, defensive tackles Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards Jr., and center Cameron Erving to the NFL Draft.
Sophomore running back Dalvin Cook was expected to help carry the team but is currently suspended after being charged with misdemeanor battery during the offseason. Cook ran for 1,008 yards as a freshman, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He’ll be missed at the beginning of the season, or the entire season, depending on how long he is suspended. Fisher has said the suspension is indefinite and it will last until the case is resolved.
Sean Maguire and transfer Everett Golson will battle it out in the preseason for the quarterback job but neither can replace Winston completely. De’Andre Jackson was supposed to be competing for the starting job but was dismissed from the team.
Maguire has a strong arm but hasn’t had many opportunities to test it. He started once last year when Winston received a one-game suspension and led the Seminoles to a 23-17 overtime victory against the Clemson Tigers.
Golson, while doing decently at his former school, Notre Dame, has a history of struggling, particularly in the clutch. He led Notre Dame to the national championship in the 2012-2013 season only to see Alabama roll over the Irish 42-17. After serving a one-season suspension, Golson returned to Notre Dame to lead the Irish to a spectacular 6-0 start, throwing them into the conversation for a college playoff start. However, Golson and the Irish lost to, who else, the Seminoles 31-27. The Irish went on to lose five of their final six games and Golson was bumped from the starting job, spurring his decision to transfer.
Florida State had an undefeated regular season in 2014 but seven wins were by six or less points including tight wins over mediocre teams in Boston College, Miami, and archrival Florida. That 13-0 regular season could have easily been 10-3 or 9-4 for the Seminoles. After narrowly defeating Georgia Tech in the ACC final, the Seminoles were blown out by Marcus Mariota and his Oregon Ducks 59-20 in the national semifinals.
That certainly doesn't bode well for Florida State.
Florida State has been a dominant team and national powerhouse for two seasons but that reign could most definitely come to an end here. ESPN gives the Seminoles a 73% chance of winning the ACC and a 40% chance of an undefeated season but, based on how the Seminoles fared in the playoffs last year, those numbers could be proved wrong as the season goes on.