Florida State’s fan base was abuzz on Tuesday afternoon as the Atlantic Coast Conference unveiled its 2017 schedule. While games won’t be played for more than seven months, the schedule release has a way of getting people talking.
We’ll partake in some of that here. With opponents and dates now set in stone for 2017, here are five thoughts after getting a first look at the Seminoles’ full slate:
1. FSU Gets Miami at a Good Time
Florida State’s seven straight wins over Miami are well-documented, but the last three have been very close. For the fifth time in 14 years since joining the ACC, the Hurricanes will open conference play against the Seminoles. Miami will be breaking in a lot of new pieces on offense, including having to replace quarterback Brad Kaaya, wide receiver Stacy Coley and tight end David Njoku.
For FSU, getting Miami early should be a good thing. The Hurricanes open the season against Bethune-Cookman and Arkansas State. Though Miami does hit the road to take on the Red Wolves, this will be its first trip into a hostile environment. The trip could be made with a redshirt freshman in Jack Allison at quarterback.
2. Why Not Have FSU and Clemson Wrap Up ACC Play Against Each Other?
Florida State and Clemson has become a bit of a de facto ACC semifinal over the years, so why not treat it like one? The winner of the annual contest has gone on to win the ACC Atlantic division every year since 2009, so it seemed only fitting that this should be the ACC finale for both teams on Nov. 11. Assuming this season follows suit, having the Atlantic division wrapped up by mid-November could also help the ACC with ticket sales for the conference title game.
3. FSU Has Favorable Stretches Heading Into Games With Louisville, Clemson
Beating neither Louisville nor Clemson will be walks in the park, but the stretch leading up to each game shapes out nice for the Seminoles. FSU will have road games against Wake Forest and Duke sandwiched around a bye week before hosting Louisville on Oct. 21. FSU will have a road game at Boston College and home game with Syracuse before visiting Clemson.
4. Boston College is a Long Trip on a Short Week
For the third straight year, Florida State will be taking on Boston College on a Friday night as this year’s game falls on Oct. 27. The Seminoles are 7-0 against the Eagles under head coach Jimbo Fisher, but FSU shouldn’t sleep on this one. Flying out to Chestnut Hill will be a long trip on a short week. It’s also a trip that comes less than a week after a big game against Louisville.
5. Louisiana-Monroe and Delaware State Serve as Nice Buffers
There’s nothing new about the Sept. 9 contest against Louisiana-Monroe or the Senior Day affair against Delaware State on Nov. 18, but both games serve as nice buffers before rivalry games. The Seminoles get the Warhawks in between games with Alabama and Miami. The home finale lands between road trips to Clemson and Florida.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Mitch White/FSU athletics
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