How long until Florida State makes changes will likely be determined on Saturday. Another blowout loss like the one to Boston College will probably enact multiple staff firings before the regular season is completed. A win or a close loss might allow some of them to keep their positions for just a little longer.
Yet any result other than a dominant win cannot be taken as a good sign. The season is already lost. Will the defense step up and play like an elite unit? Will the offense exert its will on a team with a clear talent disadvantage? Both seem unlikely at this point.
Syracuse could march one step closer to bowl-eligibility with a win on Saturday afternoon. Head coach Dino Babers is already being talked about as a name to look at in the eventual coaching carousel. A win over Florida State in Tallahassee always looks good on a resume, no matter how incompetent the Seminoles might be. His offense certainly has the playmakers to pull it off; but his defense is a bit more susceptible than it might appear to be on paper. Any way you slice it, it’s hard to not like Syracuse’s chances.
We here at The Daily Nole will tell you exactly what we think will go down on Saturday. This week’s predictions are done by editor Mike Ferguson, staff writer Clint Eiland, site manager Edwin Collins, staff writer Josh Mixon and recruiting analyst Jay Brading.
Clint: Giving up against Boston College has blown the doors wide open on the potential losses for Florida State this year. The only team the Seminoles should be a favorite over is Delaware State. Every other opponent could legitimately blow them out. While I don’t think that will happen against Syracuse, I also don’t think Florida State has the mental fortitude to pull it out. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey will have a great Saturday and the Orange will outgun the Seminoles to drop them to 2-6. The coaching changes might not be able to wait until the end of the season. 31-20, Syracuse.
Mike: Florida State is a wounded team while Syracuse has realistic bowl expectations. The Orange have already defeated Clemson while playing competitively with currently ranked teams LSU, N.C. State and Miami. FSU should be able to win the battle in the trenches and make plays against a vulnerable secondary. For the most part this season however, FSU has been hesitant to stretch the field and has been unable to take advantage of opponents’ weaknesses. The Orange move to within a win of bowl-eligibility. The Seminoles fall to 2-6. Syracuse 24, FSU 22.
Josh: I’m done telling myself that this team will turn the corner, because the Seminoles have already given up on that possibility. FSU will play with the usual carelessness on both sides of the ball, and its talent will keep it in the game, but the Noles have quit on this season. And it’ll show. Syracuse walks into Tallahassee and slams the door shut on FSU’s bowl hopes, 31-20.
Edwin: There are some minor changes coming to the team and some of the senior players are starting to realize the issues. FSU 34, Syracuse 17.
Jay: Quarterback Eric Dungey will make more plays for Syracuse than James Blackman does for Florida State. On top of that, the lethargic FSU defense for the most part has mailed in 2017. The Orange win in Tallahassee, 24-17.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login