On3 Roundtable: College Football Playoff or bust for the Seminoles

Mike Norvell has built quite the roster at Florida State, recruiting well along with his use the NCAA transfer portal. He now has the program in a position to possibly be thinking about the College Football Playoff in Year Four. In fact, the Seminoles may be disappointed if they are not a part of the final four teams.

Warchant‘s Isa Schoffel joined the On3 Roundtable, saying it would be a disappointment if Florida State did not participate in the playoffs this year. Between Jordan Travis returning for another year, the line of scrimmage being considered a strength, and plenty of skill positions, Schoffel believes a serious run should be made by Norvell’s squad.

“It’s hard to say that,” Schoffel said. “But probably, yeah. At this point, they got everything they need in place. They’ve got so many guys back on both sides of the ball. You have a senior quarterback whose been a starter in the system for over a year. The defensive line is going to be the strength of your team. The offensive line is going to be the best it’s been in years. You got a bunch of skill players, you got experience.”

More than just a good roster has to fall into place for a team to make the College Football Playoff. Your schedule has to be manageable as well and Florida State’s is. Two difficult games really pop out but thankfully, just one falls under ACC play.

“You’ve got a schedule that I think that’s conducive to get into the playoff,” Schoffel said. “Even if you maybe lost a game. If you don’t beat LSU and Clemson in the first month of the season, I still think you have a chance because there’s no divisions anymore, you still have a chance to get into the championship game of the conference and get into the playoff.”

If Florida State can split Clemson and LSU, they will find themselves in a good position. Especially if there is a potential revenge game against Dabo Swinney in the ACC Championship game. Best case scenario, the Seminoles are heading to a semifinal game, something fans may have had a hard time believing a few years ago.

“I think everything is there for them,” Schoffel said. “When you have been where Florida State was two years ago, it seems crazy to say that — they didn’t even have a winning record. But everything they have in front of them and the way everything lays out, I feel like if they don’t make it to the playoff, it’s going to feel like a disappointment.”

If Florida State can make the CFP, it would be their first since the inaugural edition in 2014. Jimbo Fisher was in charge then, with the Willie Taggart era being between Mike Norvell. It would be a huge achievement for the program.