Aug 2110 min read

Predicting the Seminoles Games in 2024: Eye-Opening Focus

Seminoles Predictions — © Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida State Seminoles enter the 2024 season as the defending Atlantic Coast Conference Champions and are primed and ready to put last season's postseason debacle behind them, culminating with a 63-3 loss to then No. 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and his staff have been working tirelessly to #KeepCLIMBing as they reloaded the team's roster with quality talent to help them reach their goals of repeating as ACC Champions and earning a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Florida State has a balance of veterans and newcomers this season. Senior quarterback and former Clemson starter DJ Uiagalelei makes his return to the ACC, after spending a year at Oregon State, to lead the Seminoles' offense and will be joined by Alabama transfers wide receiver Malik Benson, running back Roydell Williams and Indiana transfer running back Jaylin Lucas. The inclusion of these four veteran transfers is to make the team's offense faster and stronger than last season. The Seminoles have also enhanced their defense with Georgia transfer lineman Marvin Jones Jr. He is the son of former FSU star Marvin Jones Sr. who played with the team from 1990-92.

They have also strengthened their talent and depth at defensive back with Alabama transfer Earl Litte Jr., Miami transfer Davonte Brown, and at linebacker with Auburn transfer Cam Riley. These additions on the offense and defense are designed to help them succeed in an always challenging schedule.

Week 0: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

In a series that began in 1955, Florida State leads the series 15-11-1 against Georgia Tech. In the last meeting during the 2022 season, Florida State won 41-16 in Tallahassee. The Seminoles and Yellow Jackets will enter a new territory this season as the teams will travel to Ireland to battle in Week 0 of the 2024 college football season. It will be the first time in Florida State football program's history that they are playing overseas. Georgia Tech returns to Ireland after defeating Boston College 17-14 on Sept. 3, 2016, in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

As for the game, the Yellow Jackets have the majority of their team returning on both sides of the ball. On offense, Haynes King and Jamal Haynes return to lead a team that finished third in the ACC conference in yards per game with 425 yards in each contest. King completed 62 percent of his passes last season en route to 2,842 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Defensively in the game to counter the veteran Yellow Jackets' offense, the Seminoles will have a revamped front led by Patrick Payton, Darrell Jackson and Joshua Farmer.

In the early season conference clash, the Seminoles get the win against the Yellow Jackets. With a stingy defense and solid offensive line play to protect Uiagalelei and help establish the run.

Record: 1-0 (1-0 ACC)

Week 1: Boston College Eagles

Despite the very close game last season that saw the Seminoles escape Chestnut Hill, Mass., with a 31-29 win, the series has heavily favored Florida State who have a 15-5 edge in the series. The win marks the fifth straight win for the Seminoles in the series. Boston College quarterback, Thomas Castellanos gave the Seminoles fits in his first meeting against the Seminoles as a starter with a solid overall performance.

For the Seminoles, containing Castellanos, who threw for 2,248 yards and rushed for 1,113 yards in 2023, will be essential. A big game in the secondary with Thomas, and Fentrell Cypress will help minimize the passing ability of Castellanos while Payton and Jones Jr. will be focused on minimizing the running games for the Eagles.

Despite the long travel back to the United States to play this game, the Seminoles win handily at home against the Eagles.

Record: 2-0 (2-0 ACC)

Week 3: Memphis Tigers

This game will be an interesting nonconference matchup, the Seminoles lead the overall series 10-7-1. However, Florida State and Memphis have not faced each other since 1990. The game will also be the first for Norvell against his former team when the Tigers travel to Tallahassee. He previously coached Memphis from 2016-19 and had a 38-15 record and led the team to four bowl appearances. The Tigers boasted an offense that averaged 459 yards per game last season, scoring 39.4 points per game to lead the American Athletic Conference. After finishing 10-3 in 2023, the Memphis Tigers are one of the favorites to land in the College Football Playoffs this year. In the first nonconference game for the Seminoles, they face a formidable test against head coach Ryan Silverfield's team.

For the Seminoles, led by DJ Lundy and Payton, the front seven will need to generate pressure on Seth Henigan, who was only sacked 19 times last season. The secondary will face the toughest test of the young season and Shyheim Brown, Cypress II, Thomas, and Earl Little Jr will be challenged.

Florida State escapes with a win to stay undefeated on the season. Memphis has the talent to compete and could find themselves in contention for a CFP berth.

Record: 3-0 (2-0 ACC)

Week 4: California Golden Bears

An interesting family reunion with Uiagalelei leading the Seminoles' offense against his cousin Jaydn Ott, who is the standout running back for the Golden Bears. This game will be Florida State's first-ever matchup against the Golden Bears. As the Bears begin their tenure in the ACC, they take the field against the defending conference champions in their inaugural ACC game.

For the Seminoles, with games against SMU and Clemson in the weeks after, and after a possible nail-biter of a game, the clash with the Golden Bears could surprise. Luckily for Florida State Norvell and his staff have built a team where the focus is on that week's game. The Seminoles offense will be too much for a Golden Bears team that surrendered 417 yards and 32.7 points per game a season ago. Last season, Uiagalelei threw for 5 touchdowns against the Golden Bears as a member of the Oregon State Beavers.

The Seminoles win this first-time matchup easily as the weapons for Uiagalelei and the Seminoles prove to be too much.

Record 4-0 (3-0 ACC)

Week 5: at SMU Mustangs

In another first-time matchup, the Seminoles travel to Dallas to battle the SMU Mustangs. SMU returns 10 of 11 starters from an offense that averaged 455 yards and 39 points per game. On defense, they also return 10 of 11 starters to a team that led the American Athletic Conference with only 300 yards and 17.4 points allowed per game. Their first game for the Mustangs in the ACC will pit two heavyweights in what could be a precursor to the championship game in Charlotte, N.C.

For the Seminoles, this will be the first test in a hostile environment as they travel to SMU. The defense did have to reload, and they did it by adding Jones, Sione Lolohea and Grady Kelly to a defense that allowed 16 points and 306 yards per game. It will be a crucial test as positioning in the national rankings and in the conference will be at stake.

In a defensive battle, SMU takes the game edging out Florida State by less than a touchdown.

Record 4-1 (3-1)

Week 6: Clemson Tigers

After dropping their first game of the season to close out the month of September, the Seminoles return home to battle perennial power Clemson. In what has become a rivalry for the ACC Conference, the Seminoles have the edge in the series 21-15. In a thrilling game last season, the Seminoles broke the seven-game win streak that the Tigers had with a 31-24 win in overtime at Clemson. Last season, the Tigers' defense finished with a conference-best 279 yards allowed per game. The Seminoles finished right behind allowing 306 yards per game.

For the Seminoles, after dropping a nail-biter, a bounce-back win against one of their main rivals could help propel them back to Charlotte and the CFP. Uiagalelei faces the team he played for the first three seasons of his college career. After playing last season at Oregon State a return to the ACC and a battle with his former team could see Uiagalelei play one of his best games.

Florida State wins at home against the Clemson Tigers. They keep control of their destiny as they #Keep CLIMing toward the ACC Championship Game and the CFP.

Record 5-1 (4-1 ACC)

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: at Duke Blue Devils

After a bye week, the Seminoles travel to Duke for a Friday contest. The Blue Devils welcome in new head coach Manny Diaz and Texas transfer quarterback Maalik Murphy for a new era of Duke Football. The challenge is the series is lopsided as the Seminoles are 20-0 against Duke all-time.

For the Seminoles, they build off the Clemson win and with a week off to get healthy should continue their winning streak against Duke. Payton and the defensive line will look to test the offensive line for the Blue Devils. In the secondary, Fentrell Cypress and Azareye'h Thomas match up well against the receivers for the Blue Devils who were held to just 76 total yards in last year's 38-20 loss to Florida State.

Florida State wins comfortably. Norvell and his coaching staff's game plan with a week off will show that they are disciplined in their offensive and defensive approach.

Record 6-1 (5-1 ACC)

Week 9: at Miami Hurricanes

No matter how the season is playing out, rivalry games always matter. The all-time series dating back to 1951 between the two iconic schools is almost even with the Hurricanes slightly ahead 35-33. While the Seminoles have won the last three games in the series, the Hurricanes have worked overtime to reload their program and compete.

In a clash of high-powered offenses versus top defenses, the next entry into the storied rivalry between the Seminoles and Hurricanes should deliver for fans of the programs and college football in general. The Hurricanes made arguably the biggest splashes in the Transfer Portal bringing in Cam Ward from Washington State and Damien Martinez from Oregon State to re-energize the offense. For the Seminoles, they brought in Uiagalelei as well as Malik Benson and Roydell Williams to help reinvent the offense that averaged 402 yards and 35 points per game in 2023.

Florida State wins in a battle as most rivalry games are.

Record 7-1 (6-1 ACC)

Week 10: North Carolina Tar Heels

The final month of the regular season starts with a home contest against the Tar Heels of North Carolina. In what has been a lopsided series, the Seminoles hold the series lead 17-3-1. It will be the first matchup between the two schools since a 35-25 FSU win in 2021. After last season when the Tar Heels led the conference with 491 yards per game and finished just behind the Seminoles in points per game 34.6 for FSU and 34.5 for UNC.

Can the Tar Heels defense led by Kaimon Rucker and Power Echols slow down the Seminoles' offense? With Payton and Jones, can the defensive line generate the pressure needed and contain a top running back in the country for the Tar Heels in Omarion Hampton?

Florida State outlasts the Tar Heels. The offense for the Seminoles although having new faces, proves too much for the Tar Heels defense. Meanwhile, the secondary of the Seminoles shows up for the game and minimizes the aerial attack for Johnson.

Record 8-1 (7-1 ACC)

Week 11: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

A late-season matchup between two storied programs in one of college football's most storied stadiums is a must-watch game. The Seminoles and the Irish have only met 11 times and Florida State holds the slight edge 6-5. Notre Dame has won the last three in the series; the teams haven't met since 2021 when the Irish won 41-38 in Tallahassee. The Irish have a familiar face at quarterback in Leonard who began his career with the Duke before joining Notre Dame after three seasons. Leonard threw for 4,450 yards and 24 touchdowns in 27 games for Duke.

Though Notre Dame has added a strong passing attack with the addition of Leonard, an important question to ask is how will the Irish replace Audric Estime? The current running back for the Denver Broncos, had 210 carries for 1,341 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Estime's rushing numbers will be missed by the Irish.

For the Seminoles, the late-season contest will be crucial for their CFP hopes. Florida State will be looking to finish the season off strong after going 7-1 in the conference. Standing in the way is an Irish team that averaged 432 yards and 39 points per game last season while allowing 282 yards and 16.6 points per game. The Seminoles' offense will battle a veteran Irish defense led by Howard Cross, Jack Kiser and Xavier Watts. On defense, the Seminoles will be tested with Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell as Leonard who battled with the Seminoles last season before leaving the game with an injury, leads the offense for the Irish.

In a defensive battle, the Seminoles escape South Bend, Ind., with a win. With a conference championship not guaranteed for the Seminoles, both teams look to make the playoffs with the Seminoles getting the win in the head-to-head matchup.

Record 9-1 (7-1 ACC)

Week 12: Bye

Week 13: Charleston Southern Buccaneers

The Seminoles take on the Buccaneers a week after their final bye of the season and the week before their annual clash with the Florida Gators. The Buccaneers finished 4-7 last season and are a part of the Big South Conference. Charleston Southern averaged 16 points and 250 yards per game while allowing 29 points and 399 yards per game. This is poised to be an easy tune-up for Norvell and the Seminoles and allows the team to get some of the younger players substantial playing time.

For the Seminoles, this game should allow the team to fine-tune the game plan on offense and defense. With the Buccaneers not expected to pose much of a threat, the Seminoles run away with it. Getting out to an early lead will give Norvell the chance to rest starters as well as play reserves for meaningful minutes.

Record 10-1 (7-1 ACC)

Week 14: Florida Gators

The annual Sunshine Showdown has the Gators traveling to Tallahassee. The series has seen some epic battles with the Gators leading the all-time series 37-28-2. The Seminoles have won the last two contests including last season's game 24-15 in Gainesville. In this season's game, the Gators will look a bit different with Elijhah Badger from Arizona State and Chimere Dike from Wisconsin as the two new receivers on offense led by quarterback Graham Mertz. Similar to the Hurricanes clash, rivalry games always seem like grudge matches regardless of where teams are and what their respective records are.

The Seminoles should be knocking on the door for at least an at-large bid for the playoffs. Cam Riley and DJ Lundy minimize the rushing attack of the Gators. The Seminoles' secondary matches up well against the receivers for the Gators and will be focused on keeping the Seminoles' winning streak going against the Gators.

The Seminoles earn the win in the latest chapter of the rivalry with the Gators. It's a rivalry game so it will be hard fought, but the Seminoles come out victorious.

Record 11-1 (7-1 ACC)

Florida State Seminoles Overview

The Seminoles follow up their 2023 season by finishing 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the ACC. With that record, they are positioned well for an at-large bid for the CFP. With the way the schedule works, a return to the ACC Championship is on the horizon with a rematch with possibly SMU or Clemson.