They say misery loves company and this fall, Jimbo Fisher’s Florida State football program has had plenty of it, but to a lesser extent.
FSU’s struggles on the gridiron have been well documented. The 2-5 start is the worst for the Seminoles in more than 40 years and following Saturday’s slate of games, they are in last place in the ACC Atlantic.
The five losses is the most suffered for FSU during the Fisher era. The 2-5 record is the worst since Bobby Bowden’s first year as head coach. On top of that, the Seminoles are in real danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 1981.
The struggles for FSU athletic programs this fall isn’t exclusive to the school’s most notable one. With a 2-1 loss to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, FSU saw its streak of four straight conference crowns end.
After being picked to win the ACC prior to the year, the Seminoles were forced to settle for the No. 7 seed for the conference tournament despite returning their goalkeeper in Cassie Miller, top two goal-scorers in Deyna Castellanos and Megan Connolly and top two assist leaders in Kaycie Tillman and Natalia Kuikka.
Last season was also somewhat of a disappointing season as the Seminoles were ousted in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after reaching the College Cup in the four years prior, but the Seminoles were still able to circle the wagons and win the ACC. The problem this year has been defense. After allowing just nine goals all of last season, the Seminoles have given up 17 goals this year — nearly double — in four fewer games.
Following the loss on Sunday, it’s possible that the Seminoles fall out of the top 25. They entered the day ranked No. 23.
Also suffering through a disappointing fall is Florida State volleyball. Following a Sweet 16 appearance last year, the Seminoles were expected to compete for the ACC crown, being projected to finish second behind only North Carolina.
Currently, FSU is tied for eighth in the ACC with an even 6-6 conference record, following Sunday’s heartbreaking 5-set loss to N.C. State. Four of those six ACC losses have come at home where FSU lost just three times total all of last year. The six conference losses is twice as many as FSU suffered last season.
With eight matches to play in the regular season, the Seminoles are 12-8 after losing just six total matches last season. FSU hasn’t finished lower than second in the ACC since 2010 and hasn’t finished with a losing record in conference since 2003.
While Florida State’s putrid start on the gridiron has drawn attention on a national scale, underachieving seems to be an epidemic that has spread across the FSU team sports spectrum this fall. Using CBS Sports’ formula, FSU enjoyed the “Best in College Sports” title last athletic year. If this fall is any indication, don’t expect a repeat.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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