Florida State’s preseason projections took a significant hit after their 20-12 loss to Memphis, which officially confirmed they will fall short of their anticipated win total of 9.5 games. This total was among the highest in the Atlantic Coast Conference, alongside Miami, but the team’s 0-3 start has rapidly changed the outlook for the season.
With this early defeat, Florida State is now unable to exceed nine regular season wins, making them the first team to definitively miss their projected win total, as reported by Brett McMurphy of The Action Network. The loss also places the Seminoles in a historic context for all the wrong reasons, marking them as the first team since Arizona in 1976 to move from an undefeated regular season to an 0-3 start.
Entering the season ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25, Florida State’s struggles have been evident on both offense and defense. Notably, the offense has struggled to find its rhythm, with quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completing only 16 of 30 passes for 201 yards and an interception. The rushing attack has been equally disappointing, netting just 37 yards and averaging a mere 1.5 yards per carry due to poor offensive line performance and a lack of supportive playmakers.
Looking ahead, Florida State faces a crucial match against California next weekend, who recently secured a significant road victory against Auburn. With the Seminoles unlikely to be favored in many of their upcoming games, qualifying for a bowl game will require a drastic turnaround from their current performances.