Florida State Football: 3 takeaways from Seminoles' 2023 schedule
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With high expectations going into the 2023 season, the Florida State football team found out its schedule for Mike Norvell's fourth season in charge of the Seminoles.
Florida State is coming off its first 10-win season since 2016 and the 25th time in program history. FSU concluded its season with a Cheez-It Bowl victory over Oklahoma, ending the season ranked No. 10 in the final AP Poll.
Earlier today, the Seminoles announced their spring football game is set to be played at 4 p.m. (ET) on April, 15 in Doak Campbell Stadium.
ESPN placed FSU No. 4 in its "way too early preseason" rankings.
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“There is a tremendous amount of excitement internally and externally for this season,” head coach Mike Norvell said in a statement.
“The ACC’s new scheduling model and elimination of divisions creates exciting matchups and brings new teams on our schedule, which is great for our student-athletes and fans to experience. Our team had a tremendous week in Orlando for the bowl game, and we are looking forward to returning there for what will probably be the most-anticipated game of Labor Day weekend.
"Playing eight games in our home state is another great element for our team, and we can’t wait to be back in front of the best fans in the country as we continue on our climb back to the top of college football.”
Here are three takeaways about the FSU football schedule.
September is the season
Not to discredit later games on the schedule, but with aspirations to contend for the College Football Playoffs, the most important games for that will come in the first four for FSU.
FSU-LSU in Orlando in another standalone game on a Sunday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando is likely to be a top-10 matchup and could even be a top-six matchup.
The SEC is always seen as the top conference in college football and the Tigers are the defending SEC West Champions after knocking off Alabama.
An early September win could set up FSU well in the eyes of pundits and the college football committee early on.
Then just three weeks later, the Seminoles will play Clemson in what could be another top-10 matchup and a preview of the ACC Championship game.
FSU would be set up very well if it wins both games. Losing one would not be the end of the world, especially if the Seminoles can bounce back and win the ACC.
Losing both games would likely end the Seminoles' chances of a playoff berth before their bye week and the end of September.
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October cakewalk
FSU will have just one true home game in the first four weeks. Following its open week following the Clemson game and then hosts three straight home games.
Virginia Tech is coming off a 3-8 season and won just one ACC game. Syracuse loses its best playmaker in running back Sean Tucker. A rested Seminoles team should handle these games.
Duke could be the trap game in this, but FSU is the more talented team and will be at home.
The lone road game of the month will be Wake Forest sans Sam Hartman, with a new quarterback learning the complicated slow-mesh offense. FSU, even on the road, should be favored.
November finish
Pittsburgh could provide the Seminoles their toughest road game of the season, outside of Clemson. The Panthers finished No. 22 in the final AP poll.
FSU will host a likely improved Miami team and then close out the regular season against rival Florida. The Seminoles won the state title in 2022 for the first time since 2016.
Can they repeat as state champions?
Both Miami and Florida are coming off rare losing seasons and could show improvement under second-year coaches.
North Alabama is the buffer between the two rivalry games and could be a pivotal chance for the FSU coaching staff to find some rest time in the second half of what should be a blowout victory.
2023 FSU football schedule
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs. LSU (Camping World Stadium, Orlando)
Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Southern Mississippi
Saturday, Sept. 16 at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Saturday, Sept. 23 at Clemson, Clemson, S.C.
Saturday, Oct. 7 vs Virginia Tech
Saturday, Oct. 14 vs. Syracuse
Saturday, Oct. 21 vs. Duke (Homecoming)
Saturday, Oct. 28 at Wake Forest, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Saturday, Nov. 4 at Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Miami
Saturday, Nov. 18 vs. North Alabama
Saturday, Nov. 25 at Florida, Gainesville
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State Football: 3 takeaways from Seminoles' 2023 schedule
