The new athletic year for Florida State got underway last week as reigning national champion FSU soccer took down TCU and Wisconsin with a pair of shutouts.
By the end of the day on Saturday, all five FSU fall sports programs will have gotten their seasons underway. Without further ado, here’s a look at what to watch for this week in Seminole sports:
1. FSU Football Kicks Off Season in Jacksonville
There is some speculation that Hurricane Dorian could force a time change for Florida State football’s opener, but the showdown with Boise State in Jacksonville appears set to go on as scheduled for Saturday. The Seminoles are coming off a 5-7 season and will look to start on better footing in year No. 2 under head coach Willie Taggart.
Taggart made some notable offensive coaching changes this offseason and will look to improve on a dismal showing in 2018. James Blackman, a redshirt sophomore, will be making his 14th career start at quarterback. The FSU defense looks to rebound as well after allowing more points per game than any team in program history. Boise State is coming off a 10-3 season, but loses its leading passer and rusher. The contest is currently slated for 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
2. FSU Volleyball Opens with Difficult Slate
Florida State volleyball will have to hit the ground running as it opens the 2019 season with the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Seminoles will be in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where they’ll face No. 5 Wisconsin on Friday and No. 3 Minnesota on Saturday. FSU was defeated last season by Minnesota in straight sets and by the Badgers, 3-1. FSU does return 2018 ACC Player of the Year, Payton Caffrey. Both matches begin at 3:30 p.m. EST and stream on ACC Network Extra.
3. FSU Cross Country Opens Year in Boone
The Florida State volleyball program won’t be the only group of Seminoles opening the year in North Carolina. The FSU cross country teams will be in Boone for the Covered Bridge Open. Both the FSU men and women took first place in the event last year. The Seminoles had the top two finishers on the men’s side and the three best finishers on the women’s side, although the winner Militsa Mircheva has since graduated.
4. FSU Soccer Visits Top-5 Opponents Out West
Florida State soccer got off to a strong start last week with a 2-0 win over TCU and a 1-0 overtime victory over No. 16 Wisconsin on an incredible goal by Malia Berkely. This week, the reigning national champions will have their toughest test yet as they hit the road to take on top-5 teams.
The Seminoles will play at No. 4 UCLA on Thursday and at No. 5 USC on Sunday. FSU beat the Bruins 4-1 last season and played USC to a scoreless draw during the regular season before topping the Women of Troy on penalty kicks in the Sweet 16.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.
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