Florida State Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Boston College
By Dana Becker
Turn out the lights
Barring the crazy happening – and if Friday night’s second half performance was any indication of what we can expect from here on out with Florida State, it’s not happening – the Seminoles will not be going bowling for the first time since 1981.
Think about that for just a moment.
The last time Florida State did not go to a bowl game, Bobby Bowden had just finished coaching his sixth season with the ‘Noles. And he had a winning record that year, as FSU went 6-5.
In fact, the 35-year streak is even more impressive when you look back through the records and find that Florida State also made a bowl in 1980 and 1979, competing in the Orange Bowl both seasons. And, as mentioned, had a winning record the year they didn’t qualify for a bowl.
It’s been a trying season in Tallahassee.
Deondre Francois, a darkhorse Heisman candidate, was lost for the season in a Week 1 defeat to Alabama. Hurricanes kept the Seminoles sidelined when they could have been gaining valuable experience for new quarterback James Blackman.
Running back Jacques Patrick became the latest starter to be lost for the year when he was ruled out this week.
Cam Akers has been a strong runner, but the true freshman isn’t ready for the spotlight and majority of the carries yet for Florida State to truly be considered a contender.
And honestly, when are the Seminoles going to be that again?
Francois is good and expected to be back next year, but we have seen enough issues with the rest of the offense and even the defense to know this isn’t a one-player problem.
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Boston College ran for over 240 yards against Florida State. Lamar Jackson had a big offensive game last week against them, as well, and they still have games vs. Syracuse and at Clemson left on the schedule. It’s not unfathomable to think at this point that Florida State goes 3-8 this year with wins over Wake Forest, Duke and Delaware State to its credit.