Florida State is facing a significant crisis, marking one of the most disappointing starts in recent Bowl Subdivision history. The Seminoles suffered a 20-12 defeat at home to No. 25 Memphis, which has left them with an 0-3 record following the preseason hype that had them positioned at No. 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. With last season’s ACC championship and an unbeaten regular season behind them, Florida State becomes only the second team in the last 35 years to start a season ranked in the top 10 and lose its first three games, joining the 2020 Penn State team.
Memphis, on the other hand, stands out as a strong contender from the Group of Five as the favorite to secure a spot in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. While the Seminoles could have been in that conversation, their current trajectory suggests they will have to watch the playoffs from the sidelines.
Florida State’s offensive struggles resurface as they manage to convert only two out of 12 third-down attempts, and their running game produced a mere 37 yards on 24 carries, averaging just 1.5 yards per carry, including sacks. They also committed three turnovers and didn’t score a touchdown until the middle of the third quarter.
A major factor in Florida State’s struggles seems to be linked to the transfer portal. Although Coach Mike Norvell initially succeeded in acquiring impactful transfers like All-America defensive end Jared Verse, this year’s recruits have not effectively filled the roster and have impeded the team’s progress.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, a transfer from Clemson, exemplifies the Seminoles’ difficulties. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 201 yards, along with an interception, resulting in more interceptions (2) than touchdown passes (1) across three games.
In contrast, Memphis senior quarterback Seth Henigan put in a solid performance, completing 65.7% of his passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns. As the college football landscape evolves in 2024, it’s clear that team success heavily hinges on quarterback performance. While Henigan leads Memphis toward a potential playoff appearance, Uiagalelei and Florida State find themselves heading towards one of college football’s more disheartening seasons.
The weekend’s matchups produced significant winners and losers:
Among the winners, Memphis established itself as the frontrunner for the Group of Five playoff spot, continuing its momentum from last season’s success. Alabama showcased its offensive prowess, overwhelming Wisconsin with a decisive 42-10 victory, while Missouri secured a crucial non-conference win against Boston College. Notre Dame rebounded with an impressive 66-7 win over Purdue, and Oregon demonstrated its capabilities with a 49-14 win against Oregon State.
On the flip side, Florida’s dismal performance against Texas A&M has raised doubts about its future coaching prospects. Meanwhile, Michigan is grappling with quarterback issues following a win that revealed flaws in its offense. Washington suffered a painful loss to Washington State, exposing its rebuilding challenges, while West Virginia fell in a closely contested Backyard Brawl, creating concerns for Coach Neal Brown’s position. Lastly, Mississippi State’s humiliating loss to Toledo added to the team’s woes, raising questions about its direction under new head coach Jeff Lebby.