Posted by NoleCC

7-5. That’s what I said back on August 26. Forget about the game prediction, because I blew a lot of those individually, but collectively I didn’t pretty good I think. I warned against the inevitable let down that a lot of fans would have after a quick start by the Noles. (FWIW, check out the comments in the preview, Kieran nearly nailed the schedule, while others were overly optimistic.)

So let’s take a look back:

Western Carolina? Beatdown. Chattanooga? Beatdown. Wake Forest, yeah I screwed that one up. I didn’t know the FSU offense wouldn’t show up for the game. Colorado? Overmatched. Miami? I picked it right, but if the game went on for another two minutes I would have been wrong. And then there’s the rest of the ACC.

N.C. State – They got better after we beat them. Missed that one, I guess I thought Tom O’Brien would have them ready for the Noles.

Virginia Tech – A pleasant surprise.

Georgia Tech – I got that one right too. Nobody believed me about the triple option at GT. Everyone should be scared as Paul Johnson recruits guys that are actually supposed to run his system.

Clemson – I couldn’t have predicted that meltdown. I expected a loss, FSU got the W against a talented but a transitional Tiger team.

Boston College – They ended up being better than I gave them credit for prior to the season.

Maryland – The Terps chokes when they play FSU generally, it was backed up in this game.

Florida – Timmy is scary-good and provided the beatdown I predicted.

Overall, it’s pretty much what I expected, a transitional year for the football program. It’s nothing horrible and nothing great.

Where is FSU headed?

Looking ahead, the Gator Bowl is having a great debate about taking FSU or Clemson to play Nebraska. The Noles should be very happy to get there, or perhaps the Champs Sports Bowl to give a different part of the state a look at FSU football. Not bad for a team that’s been suffering for the last few years, and definitely not bad for a team that is still a year or two away from competing nationally with the OU, UF and USC’s of the world. A bowl win goes far for the Noles this year, no matter who they play and it leads into the 2009 season on a postive note.

I’ll have more soon on other aspects of the 2008 season other than the schedule. Until then, leave a comment about where you think the program is headed after this transitional year, that I’ll deem better than the previous versions, but not-yet-national-state ready.