The bad news for Florida State heading into 2017 is that the first opponent it will face is Alabama. That good news is that contest in Atlanta provides FSU a grand opportunity.
Since Nick Saban coached his first game for the Crimson Tide nearly 10 years ago, the boys from Tuscaloosa have become the class of college football. Alabama has finished in the top 10 every year since 2008 with four national championships and two other College Football Playoff appearances to its name.
To make matters more difficult for Florida State, Alabama has also been exceptional in season openers under Saban, going a perfect 10-0 with each victory coming by double-digits and five over ranked teams. Seven have come on neutral fields.
Since Jimbo Fisher was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach in 2010, the Seminoles have been nothing to sneeze at either. FSU has finished ranked every year, which includes four top-10 finishes, five major bowl appearances, three ACC titles and the 2013 national championship.
In 2017, Florida State has realistic hopes of reliving that national championship euphoria. After five straight wins to close the year capped with an Orange Bowl victory over Michigan and a top-10 finish, the Seminoles are expected to begin the year in the top 5 and some have suggested that they could be as high as No. 1.
Under Saban, taking on Alabama has been the ultimate litmus test for teams hoping to claim the ultimate prize. In fact, 10 of the 11 national champions have either been Alabama or defeated Alabama. The exception? The 2013 Florida State Seminoles.
What makes the Sept. 2 opener so highly-anticipated is not just that it is expected to be two of the nation’s top 5 teams squaring off or the fact that Fisher once coached under Saban at LSU; it’s that this match-up has been so close to taking place on prior occasions.
The Seminoles and Crimson Tide appeared destined to meet for the national championship in 2013 before an Alabama field goal that fell short was returned more than 100 yards for an Auburn touchdown on the game’s final play. FSU would go on to beat the Tigers in Pasadena for the 2013 crown, 34-31.
The following year, FSU and Alabama each narrowly missed playing one another as both lost semifinal match-ups in the first-ever College Football Playoff. The teams have not met since 2007, which was Saban’s first year at Alabama and Fisher’s first as FSU’s offensive coordinator. Both teams finished 7-6 that year in a season where the teams combined to later vacate 12 wins.
As great as the build-up has been for the opener, equally as great is the opportunity for Florida State. Though losing would not be a death sentence, it would greatly reduce FSU’s margin for error. On the other hand, beating the nation’s premier power would show that the Seminoles are again players for college football’s ultimate prize.
While recent history shows that Saban’s Tide are tough to beat in neutral field openers, the Seminoles have also yet to lose an opener under Fisher. They’re also 9-1 against the self-proclaimed “mighty SEC”.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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