Following Florida State’s 23-13 loss to Oklahoma earlier this season, I questioned whether Florida State was ready to be placed back into that highest circle of college football’s elite programs. Beating the Sooners would have been a statement win for the ‘Noles, and as we saw today, Oklahoma is one hell of a football team.
Right now, though, Florida State needs to get its ACC title hopes back on track after losing to Wake Forest 35-30. The loss drops No. 23 Florida State to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC -- not exactly the start many, ourselves included, thought Jimbo Fisher‘s team would be having before the start of the season.
The injury to EJ Manuel‘s non-throwing shoulder has hindered FSU’s offense to a degree, but Florida State has plenty of talent around Manuel and backup quarterback Clint Trickett has played well enough two weeks ago against Clemson to give FSU a chance to win. Trickett, however, was ineffective in the beginning of today’s game against the Demon Deacons, which prompted Fisher to put Manuel in sooner than he was hoping.
Manuel had been listed as questionable leading up today’s game.
It’s been a rough start for Florida State, but looking ahead, the ‘Noles still have a shot to make it to the ACC title game. Four of Florida State’s final six conference games are at home, and there’s no Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech on the schedule.
Things can improve for Florida State, to be sure. That’s good, because right now it can’t get much worse.