12 games, 12 thoughts: Early analysis of the 2024 FSU football schedule The 2024 season has two new wrinkles.
First, SMU, Cal and Stanford are invited to the conference, with FSU accepting two new recruits.
Second, the ‘Noles are the defending ACC champions, and for the first time since 2015, they’re the chasers, not the hunters. The schedule includes a multi-week stretch with a trip to Europe and just four road games in the United States.
What to do with the stone floor? Here are 12 predictions for the 12 games Florida State will play in 2024. They include the biggest facts and early predictions for how the tournament will play out.
Week 0: Georgia Tech (Ireland)
Superlative: InternatiNOLE
Analysis: The ‘Noles open the 2024 season with a conference championship on the other side of the world. This game is hard to predict because of how different it is played in Europe. Florida State opened as a two-touchdown favorite at multiple betting sites, but Georgia Tech returns key pieces, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Yellow Jackets went 4-2 with losses to Clemson and Georgia in their last six games, and Haynes King finally hit it off. Brent Key seems to have changed the culture in Atlanta and wants to build on last year’s 7-6 season.
FSU’s defense struggled with communication issues early in the season, with one unit injured and only having a week to adjust with a new recruit at each level. The ‘Noles will be fine in the end, but don’t expect them to show up.
Week 1: Boston College (Monday Night)
Superlative: La Labor Day
Analysis: For the third year in a row, there are three games on Labor Day weekend for FSU. Florida State nearly blew this game a year ago and now faces Castellanos for the second straight time. BC should have a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Kye Robichaux and veteran Treshaun Ward. Like Georgia Tech, BC finished the season on a high note with a win over new conference member SMU in the Fenway Bowl, winning their first postseason game in 2016. Gotta do it and FSU while you’re at home. Night after a long weekend. But there will be no rest weekend in Ireland, maybe jet lag and half sleep for the Seminoles.
Opinion: Must win
Week 2: Bye #1
Week 3: Memphis
Superlative: Homecoming
Analysis: Mike Norvelland’s first of two games back opened in mid-September against Memphis. Memphis finished the regular season with a win over Iowa State, giving them 10 wins. The Tigers upgraded their roster during the regular season, signing 17 new players, including six who played at Power 5 schools last season. Along with the influx of talent, QB Seth Henigan enters his fourth season as a starter after being penalized for less than 4,000 yards of offense last season. As in previous games, problems arise if the ‘Noles have an off day. But the chances of a group of five teams going into Doak and leaving with a win in a game that is in the coach’s best interest.
Opinion: Must win
Week 4: Cal
Superlative: Pacific Coast Conference
Analysis: ACC Welcome to Cal! Due to conference realignment, the Golden Bears flew in from San Francisco to face the defending conference champions. Cal, like all Seminoles teams, is on the rise. They won their last three games en route to a bowl game and made the postseason for the first time since 2019. Late in the season, they handed the ball to the man. stronger :INTratio According to 247, the Golden Bears hit the ground running and produced double-digit transfers with a top-30 class. At home against a cross country team, Florida State should be the favorite for a nice win, but this isn’t the Cal team of years past.
Opinion: Must Win
Week 5: SMU
Superlative: Homecoming #2
Analysis: Mike Norvell wanted not far from Dallas and should relish the opportunity to come home. What he doesn’t like is that his rival is waiting for him. The Mustangs are my dream in the ACC next year. They beat a decent Tulane team last year, won the AAC, and some thought they should be in the New Year’s Six Bowl. (Committee, am I right..?) After an 11-game winning streak last season, they hit the road with a bang. All made double-digit commitments from Power 5 schools. QB Preston Stone is back for another season, fully recovered from an injury-shortened year. He finished the campaign with a TD:INT ratio of 28:6 and looked to improve on his 59% completion percentage from last year. Despite the new additions, the ‘Noles’ team will be stronger, and since Gerald Ford Stadium can only accommodate thirty-two thousand people, there will be no noisy atmosphere on the road. But watch out for the week before Clemson. This game may be closer than the pundits think.
Comments: Should win, but it’s about 50-50.
Week 6: Clemson
Superlative: DJU Revenge Game
Analysis: This year, three FSU players will face their old rivals in three games: Davonte Brown vs. Miami, Rich Leonard vs. UF). But no match will be bigger than D.J. Just ask Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. Clemson struggled last season and hit .500.
However, they return key pieces in their front seven, including DT Peter Woods and LB Barett Carter. QB Cade Klubnik returns for his second season as a starter and ranks second among top 100 WRs at 247. Tigers still.
