Florida State State Football: How much will Seminoles improve in 2021?

One of the nations toughest schedules awaits Florida State in 2021

As I discussed when previewing Georgia Tech and its murderer’s row of a schedule, Florida State is a team that could be much improved and it might not show in the win and loss column.

This is a schedule that sees Florida State football play Notre Dame and Florida in the non-conference and then Clemson, Miami and North Carolina in ACC play. The ACC Atlantic is going to be very competitive outside of Clemson and making a bowl is far from a guarantee for the Seminoles.

• Game 1: Notre Dame (L)- This is a tough season opener against a reloading Notre Dame team and I don’t think the Seminoles are ready for a game like this yet.
• Game 2: Jacksonville State (W)- FSU will bounce back with their easiest game of the season vs a team that they are familiar with.
• Game 3: At Wake Forest (W)- This is a coin flip game, but I think Florida State will win in what is likely to be a shootout.
• Game 4: Louisville (W)- Louisville blew the Seminoles out last season, but I think they get revenge in the rematch this season.
• Game 5: Syracuse (W)- Syracuse is going to be one of the worst teams in the ACC and I like Florida State to win big here.
• Game 6: At North Carolina (L)- The Tar Heels are the favorites in the Coastal and are probably out for revenge after losing to FSU last season.
• Game 7: UMass (W)- UMass is a dreadful team right now and FSU should win big.
• Game 8: At Clemson (L)- Clemson was not happy with the way things went down last season and I have a hunch that they will remember.
• Game 9: NC State (L)- I think NC State is being undervalued this season and I think the Wolfpack go to Tallahassee and win.
• Game 10: Miami (L)- Miami has won four in a row and won in blowout fashion last season. The game will be closer, but the result will be the same.
• Game 11: At Boston College (L)- I think the Eagles are being overvalued a little bit heading into the year, but at home, I like them to beat FSU.
• Game 12: At Florida (L)- These two rivals did not play last year and I think Florida is a much better team and program right now.

Final Record: 5-7, 3-5 ACC

Florida State has a chance to start fast, but the back half of their schedule is just brutal. The ACC Atlantic is going to be competitive and I could see if things went south, FSU might be able to only beat Syracuse in that division. I think 3-9 is the floor here, with the ceiling being around 7-5. This is going to be a fascinating team to watch this season regardless.