The Florida State Seminoles were expected to have a rebuilding year last year, yet they still ended up winning 10 games and making a New Year's Six Bowl. However, this team has much higher goals this year - they want to win the national championship. Here's a game-by-game breakout of how we see their season playing out in 2016:
Week 1 - vs. Ole Miss Rebels
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
This Labor Day showdown in Orlando is going to be one of the best games of the opening weekend, and it will surely go down to the wire. However, the Rebels are dealing with more roster turnover than Florida State, giving the Noles the edge.
Week 2 - vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
Charleston Southern is a very good FCS team, but they don't have anywhere near the talent required to even push Florida State.
Week 3 - at Louisville Cardinals
Prediction: LOSS (2-1)
The ACC opener for FSU is going to be a tricky one. Louisville has a very talented team, and they have this home game circled as the one where they want to make a statement. Florida State always seems to struggle more than they should against Louisville, so I'm picking the Cards in an upset.
Week 4 - at USF Bulls
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
An angry Florida State team coming off a loss against an overmatched USF team. Seminoles win easily.
Week 5 - vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
UNC is looking to build on their 11-win season last year, and they should push the Noles. That being said, their defense won't be able to slow Dalvin Cook.
Week 6 - at Miami Hurricanes
Prediction: WIN (5-1)
Miami will be better under first year head coach Mark Richt, and like Louisville, they have this game circled as one where they can make a statement. However, the Seminoles have owned this rivalry in recent years, and they'll continue to do so.
Week 7 - vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Prediction: WIN (6-1)
Wake Forest is terrible. Another easy win for Florida State.
Week 8 - BYE
Week 9 - vs. Clemson Tigers
Prediction: WIN (7-1)
This is the game that will determine Florida State's season and if they can reach their College Football Playoff aspirations. It should be a toss up, but I give FSU the advantage because they'll be at home and will have an extra week to prepare.
Week 10 - at NC State Wolfpack
Prediction: WIN (8-1)
NC State will be breaking in a very young team this year, one that will struggle to make a bowl game. They simply don't have the horses to challenge the Seminoles.
Week 11 - vs. Boston College Eagles
Prediction: WIN (9-1)
BC has a very good defense. They also have the worst offense in the country. Florida State will win a low-scoring game.
Week 12 - at Syracuse Orange
Prediction: WIN (10-1)
Syracuse is a middling team and should make a bowl game, but they lack the top-end talent they need to compete with Florida State.
Week 13 - vs. Florida Gators
Prediction: WIN (11-1)
I expect this game to follow the same script as the past several years. Florida still doesn't have a reliable quarterback option, and FSU's defense has owned them as a result. Noles win by two touchdowns.
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