Under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden, Florida State came to football prominence by adopting an “anybody, anywhere, anytime” approach.
Through the 1980s, FSU gained national respectability by winning at venues like Lincoln, Columbus and South Bend. By the late 1980s, FSU had become a national powerhouse, finishing in the top 5 for 14 straight seasons from 1987-2000 with two national championships.
Although the Bowden era is no longer, the Seminoles continue to schedule quality competition. Despite that, there are still a number of big-time programs that FSU has never faced.
Florida State, unsurprisingly, has played everyone in the ACC. Below we look at the schools from the other Power 5 conferences that have yet to line up against the Seminoles:
Big 12
Teams: Texas
Overview: Although many might have guessed it would be the SEC, Florida State has faced the greatest percentage of teams from an outside power conference from the Big 12. Texas is the only one of the 10 teams in the conference yet to face the Seminoles. The last Big 12 opponent to take on the Seminoles was Oklahoma State to open the 2014 season in Dallas. A contest with West Virginia however, is set for 2020 in Atlanta.
Big Ten
Teams: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers
Overview: Florida State has played eight of the 14 teams that make up the Big Ten, including most of the “name” programs. FSU wrapped up the 2016 season with an Orange Bowl victory over Michigan. The Seminoles also have bowl wins over Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Maryland and FSU used to play on an annual basis when the Terrapins were part of the ACC.
Pac-12
Teams: Arizona, California, Oregon State, Stanford, Utah, Washington, Washington State
Overview: Florida State has faced only five of the 12 teams in the Pac-12, which is the lowest percentage of any of the Power 5 conferences. FSU has faced Arizona State, Oregon and UCLA in bowl games. FSU played a home-and-home with USC in 1997 and 1998. Since 2003, FSU and Colorado have played three times, although the Buffaloes were not yet a member of the Pac-12.
SEC
Teams: Arkansas, Missouri, Vanderbilt
Overview: Florida State has faced 11 of the 14 teams in the SEC and plays Florida on an annual basis. FSU will face two SEC teams in 2017 for a second straight season. The Seminoles are 9-1 against SEC teams under head coach Jimbo Fisher, headlined by a victory over Auburn for the 2013 national championship.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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