Recent talks of conference realignment ahead of next season has sparked discourse on which teams would provide value to new conferences ahead of the Pac-12’s disbandment. Paul Finebaum added his own input by dismissing the value Florida State University would bring to a new conference after a dismal 2-10 season.
Paul Finebaum’s View on FSU
Finebaum’s view on FSU’s value to a new conference is that the Seminoles provide a geographical benefit by being closer to SEC teams like the Clemson Tigers or LSU, but other than that, FSU’s value as a program was much weaker in comparison to teams like Clemson.
Finebaum’s opinion, however, does have some merit to it.
The Florida State Seminoles just had their worst season since the 1973 and 1974 seasons— the infamous winless seasons in the program’s history—after going 2-10 just one season removed from a 13-1 campaign. It’s a downturn which Finebaum called “one of the biggest disasters ever”.
The Seminole’s once-impressive passing offense which threw for 251.4 yards per game and 10.8 first downs per game in 2023, struggled mightily. In 2024, the offense went for just 180.3 passing yards and 8.6 first downs per game, a noticeable drop-off exasperated by a 11:13 touchdown interception ratio.
Their defense went from 18th ranked in country, only allowing 179.7 passing yards per game, forcing 10 interceptions, seven fumbles and 46 sacks in the year to allowing 201.3 passing yards a game, forcing four interceptions, two fumbles and 27 sacks. These are all big declines for just one year.
The run defense suffered a similar decline going from 150.2 rushing yards a game and 106 tackles for loss to 184.7rushing yards a game and only 78 tackles for loss.
This included being gashed by Riley Leonard for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns in a disastrous 52-3 loss to Notre Dame and Phil Mafah rushing for 154 yards in a 29-13 loss to Clemson.
All of this culminated in head coach Mike Norvell changing both offensive and defensive coordinators. However, it’s worth noting that the Seminoles also lost significant talent.
Trey Benson, the starting running back, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals while Jordan Travis, the starting quarterback, was drafted by the New York Jets. Perhaps most importantly, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske were selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round and second rounds, respectively.
Loss of talent year-over-year is a fact of life in the NCAA. And while teams like FSU are expected to maintain their success in spite of that by recruiting and developing new players, fall offs like this happen to everyone.
As an example Texas went from a record of 13-1 in 2009 to 5-7 in 2010 after losing QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley, DE Sam Acho and S Earl Thomas to the NFL draft.
Georgia went from 12-2 in 2012 to 8-5 in 2013 after losing RB Todd Gurley, LB Alec Ogletree and LB Jarvis Jones to the NFL draft and Finebaum’s Alabama went from 10-3 in 199 last year to 3-8 in 2000, after losing RB Shaun Alexander.
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This isn’t even the first time FSU has dropped off such as in 2016 when the Seminole’s went from 10-3 to 7-6 after losing leading rusher Dalvin Cook to the NFL draft. Though Finebaum is absolutely right in describing the biggest drop-off mentioned as “one the biggest disasters ever”.
For all the talent FSU lost, none of those players lost are at the level of an Thomas or Alexander, at least not yet.
The Seminoles lost a lot of talent to the NFL draft and considering just how many of the guys they got to the NFL, there is absolutely still value in FSU’s football program can offer to whichever conference it joins.
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