Written by Danny Morales
PINEHURST, N.C. — Expectations have been high for Florida State’s football program over the years and 2015 is no different for the Seminoles.
The media at ACC Kickoff voted FSU to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind the Clemson Tigers who received 101 first-place votes, Florida State received 56, but ‘Noles head coach Jimbo Fisher doesn’t read too much into preseason rankings.
“When we were the favorite, they didn't give me the trophy. When you're the underdog, they're not giving Clemson the trophy.” said Fisher during his press conference at ACC Kickoff. “ It's all about how you perceive yourself in going at it. It's great to have the expectations. Clemson deserves it. They're a great program. Dabo has done a great job. We have our work cut out. There's other great teams, Louisville, Miami, Georgia Tech.”
Florida State has been voted to win the ACC in three out of the last four seasons, with the exception being 2013 when Clemson was picked to win the conference and FSU turned around and went undefeated to claim the final BCS National Championship.
Fisher also talked about the recent depth chart that was released which saw Sean Maguire starting over Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson, who is listed as the third-string quarterback. Golson didn’t arrive in Tallahassee until well after the Spring Game and has only had a few months to work out with teammates and learn the playbook.
When talking about Golson, Fisher speaks highly of the senior and points out that the he’s been working hard during the summer and has already earned the respect of many teammates.
“They see your work ethic, demeanor, personality is to be one of them, not be above them,” said Fisher of his senior signal caller. “You get acclimated. Once they realize you're there with them, you're walking side-by-side with them, you're there to help in their success, they usually accept and then go to play.”
One things that is still up in the air is the status of running back Dalvin Cook. Fisher said that Cook would remain suspended until he had all the facts and could make a definitive decision. Until then Florida State will go with Mario Pender, Jacques Patrick and Jonathan Vickers.
The ‘Noles biggest test this season won’t be a single game against a single opponent, but rather a three-week stretch where they play Miami and Louisville at home before traveling to Atlanta to face defending Coastal Division champions Georgia Tech.
If FSU can make it past those three unscathed they will then travel to Death Valley in Week 10 to face the projected champion Clemson.
While Florida State’s schedule is very tough in 2015, the saving grace for the ‘Noles is that some of the toughest games are at home this season with Miami, Louisville and NC State traveling to Tallahassee this year.
The Seminoles will open up the season against Texas State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Doak Campbell Stadium. The game is scheduled to have an 8 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPNews.
The media at ACC Kickoff voted FSU to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind the Clemson Tigers who received 101 first-place votes, Florida State received 56, but ‘Noles head coach Jimbo Fisher doesn’t read too much into preseason rankings.
“When we were the favorite, they didn't give me the trophy. When you're the underdog, they're not giving Clemson the trophy.” said Fisher during his press conference at ACC Kickoff. “ It's all about how you perceive yourself in going at it. It's great to have the expectations. Clemson deserves it. They're a great program. Dabo has done a great job. We have our work cut out. There's other great teams, Louisville, Miami, Georgia Tech.”
Florida State has been voted to win the ACC in three out of the last four seasons, with the exception being 2013 when Clemson was picked to win the conference and FSU turned around and went undefeated to claim the final BCS National Championship.
Fisher also talked about the recent depth chart that was released which saw Sean Maguire starting over Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson, who is listed as the third-string quarterback. Golson didn’t arrive in Tallahassee until well after the Spring Game and has only had a few months to work out with teammates and learn the playbook.
When talking about Golson, Fisher speaks highly of the senior and points out that the he’s been working hard during the summer and has already earned the respect of many teammates.
“They see your work ethic, demeanor, personality is to be one of them, not be above them,” said Fisher of his senior signal caller. “You get acclimated. Once they realize you're there with them, you're walking side-by-side with them, you're there to help in their success, they usually accept and then go to play.”
One things that is still up in the air is the status of running back Dalvin Cook. Fisher said that Cook would remain suspended until he had all the facts and could make a definitive decision. Until then Florida State will go with Mario Pender, Jacques Patrick and Jonathan Vickers.
The ‘Noles biggest test this season won’t be a single game against a single opponent, but rather a three-week stretch where they play Miami and Louisville at home before traveling to Atlanta to face defending Coastal Division champions Georgia Tech.
If FSU can make it past those three unscathed they will then travel to Death Valley in Week 10 to face the projected champion Clemson.
While Florida State’s schedule is very tough in 2015, the saving grace for the ‘Noles is that some of the toughest games are at home this season with Miami, Louisville and NC State traveling to Tallahassee this year.
The Seminoles will open up the season against Texas State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Doak Campbell Stadium. The game is scheduled to have an 8 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPNews.