To start of the season, the Seminoles will start off with a tune up game against the Samford Bulldogs. This will be the game in which the Jimbo Fisher era begins. Coach Fisher should have no problem getting his first win as FSU's new football coach. Noles will win big.
For the following week, Florida State will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, where coach Fisher will face his first real test as the Seminoles head coach. Oklahoma loses Sam Bradford, but they return still a pretty solid team and getting a road win here will not be easy. Should FSU win here, look for the football team to have great momentum starting off the season, going into ACC play. I predict FSU wins a thriller by a score of 24-21.
In week three, BYU comes to Tallahassee, and they will be looking for a bit of revenge for FSU's big win in Provo. However for the Cougars, they should be facing the Seminoles in a hot and humid Florida weather, and this should be another easy win for the Noles.
With a 3-0 start, Florida State will be looking to take that early momentum to into ACC play. The Noles will begin conference play with a home game against Wake Forest. Look for the Seminoles to win, but like in past years, the Deacons will keep the game close.
Still undefeated going into October, the Seminoles will look to keep winning on the road, as they will travel to Charlottesville to face the Virginia Cavaliers, which depending on the time of the game, could be a difficult game for the Noles. Florida State will win late.
In the following week, Jimbo Fisher will face the Miami Hurricanes for the first time in his tenure. The question here will be whether Coach Fisher and his team will be able to break the hex and beat the 'Canes in Coral Gables. Look for another close game, with a big win for the Seminoles.
Should the predictions up to this point hold true, look for Christian Ponder to be among the leaders in the Heisman Race coming down the stretch.
Following the big annual rivalry game against the 'Canes in South Florida, the Seminoles return home to face Boston College. This is one of those games that could be a letdown, and could be a big test for Coach Fisher in keeping them focused. Under the leadership of a veteran QB like Christian Ponder, look for Florida State to come away with a big win.
The Seminoles will then have the next Saturday off and will not be in action until the following Thursday, as they will travel to Raleigh to face the NC-State Wolfpack on the road. Even if NC-State is not doing well, they always give Florida State a tough game and I don't expect this year to be any different. Can Jimbo and company break FSU's Thursday Night game hex? Noles win a close game on the road.
Now with November upon us, Florida State will return home to face yet another team from the State of North Carolina, and that team will so happen to be the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Seminoles picked up a huge win in Chapel Hill last season and they should do the same here.
The next week will be the Seminoles first loss of the season, as Clemson comes to town. The Tigers should be good this season should Kyle Parker decide to return to playing football instead of pro baseball. Noles will lose a tough game at home.
For the following week, the team will travel to Maryland, which proved to be the last regular season win for Bobby Bowden in Doak Campbell Stadium in 2009 on a last minute touchdown. The Seminoles will be looking to rebound from their heart breaking loss to Clemson and to regain momentum heading into their annual showdown against the Florida Gators. Look for Florida State to win big.
Finally, the Seminoles will host the Florida Gators at home and will look to end UF's six game winning streak against FSU. Christian Ponder and company should have a very good shot at doing just that, as they will face a Tim Tebowless team with a young defense. Noles will get a close, but thrilling win at home.
With an 11-1 record, the Noles should be a good chance for the ACC Championship Game, and that could be against either Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech or Miami. That game could be a toss up, but edge to the Noles which will set them up for a BCS Bowl.
Yeah, Yeah, I know this article sounds homerish, and you know what, I am a homer who chooses to be optimistic about this team. Of course there are still several questions that need to be answered, as this article was written for more discussion then anything. There will be more of an indepth and objective look at the season coming up soon.
