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View from an FSU Football Funeral
FSU Tradition Still Classic
The Mike Norvell era at Florida State is over, and it could not come fast enough for many Florida State fans. I was fortunate enough to have seen the final chapter, the funeral if you will, as my Clemson Tigers beat the Seminoles and put an end to Norvell’s misery. Florida State fans love their program, and they showed up in big numbers for the night clash with Clemson on Halloween. They also speak with their feet though, as I watched tens of thousands stream out of the gates at halftime with the Seminoles trailing 23-10. University President Richard McCullough made the announcement the next afternoon. “We understand the deep passion of Seminole fans and share their high expectations for this program.” McCullough said in a released statement. “We will conduct a thorough national search for the program’s next leader, someone who embraces Florida State’s tradition of championship athletics and our standard of excellence.”
The Seminoles now have to come up with around $50 million dollars according to Sportico to buy out his contract, on top of the massive debt the school already has from the stadium renovations just completed. Still, something had to be done to reinvigorate a proud program and fanbase unable to tolerate the malaise setting in on the program that just 13 years ago was a national champion.
Lots to Play For
Last week I wrote about UCF not spitting the bit after one of the bigger wins in program history. The Knights promptly went out and got waxed by Baylor 41-9 in front of a national television audience. Ouch! There is so much that UCF needs to fight for the rest of this season. The goals should remain exactly the same. End the road losing streak, make a bowl game, and continue to improve in year 2 of the return of Scott Frost.
Same thing for Florida. It is crucial for them to keep their head up to finish the season strong, despite being embarrassed again by Georgia. On their best day, Florida is capable of beating anyone. On their worst day, it looks like Billy Napier still leads the program.
TOP 25 FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 2ND
- MIAMI (8-0) Prime time at Notre Dame this week answers the question: are they good enough?
- UCLA (8-0) Nowhere near enough respect from the pollsters and CFB Playoff Committee
- UTAH (8-0) Went to Cincinnati and whipped them, something Texas Tech could not do last week.
- GEORGIA (7-1) Dominating defense suffocates Florida
- BYU (7-1) Struggling with their loss, but have beaten Notre Dame and Arizona
- KENTUCKY (7-1) Only loss to Alabama. South Carolina winning helps their resume
- INDIANA (8-1) Struggled again with a mediocre team. Just not buying them
- NOTRE DAME (7-1) Can prove it this week against Miami. Best win remains Wisconsin
- TEXAS TECH (7-1) Arizona win a resume booster
- TEXAS (6-2) at Missouri, vs LSU next
- OHIO STATE (6-2) How much should they be punished for losing with a backup QB?
- WAKE FOREST (7-1) Continue to dominate, just destroying Virginia
- ALABAMA (6-2) No way they should be so high in the CFP rankings (5th)
- OLE MISS (6-2) Still have a path to the SEC Championship game
- LSU (6-2) Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee next. Prove it
- IOWA (6-2) Just crushed previously ranked Wisconsin
- MISSOURI (6-2) Resume mostly the same as Tennessee’s
- TENNESSEE (6-2) Only great win is Alabama. Losses are super close
- SOUTHERN CAL (7-2) Back in after upsetting Ohio State
- HOUSTON (6-2) Both losses were close to really good teams
- ARIZONA (6-2) Not really any great wins, but a tough team to beat
- SOUTH CAROLINA (5-3) Bounced back from 3 game losing streak by beating Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma
- FLORIDA (5-3) Manhandled by UGA, but still has wins over Ole Miss and Texas
- NORTHWESTERN (6-2) Go to Iowa next
25. BOISE STATE (7-1) Only loss was super close at Oregon
