ACC Summer Football Check-in with Florida State’s Chop Chat

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(5) STG: Florida State’s sights are probably set higher than the ACC, but would you venture a prediction on how the Noles will fare in their own conference? What kind of a year do you see for the ACC in 2014?

Nohe: Florida State will be its own worst enemy in 2014. In terms of conference schedule two and a half games give me pause for thought. On the road on October 30th at Louisville, it’s a Thursday night game and Florida State fans will probably be reminded of another Thursday night road trip to Louisville back in 2002 when the 4th-ranked ‘Noles were upset 26-20 in overtime. 16 days later FSU travels to Miami to face the Hurricanes — and UM is desperate for their first win against FSU since 2009.

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Then there’s also a home game on October 18th against Notre Dame. I count that as one half because that’s about how much of a member of the ACC the Irish are, but that game could be a huge test for Florida State.

Still, I don’t see Florida State dropping a conference game unless the Seminoles shoot themselves in the foot. And that’s possible too. FSU ends the month of September with their first road trip to Raleigh since the last time the Seminoles shot themselves in the foot (17-16 at NC State two years ago).

It’s possible FSU could drop one and still make it into the playoff too. But I’m sure one of Jimbo Fisher’s common refrains this season will be not to leave it up to the selection committee. Which, if they win out, they won’t.