Phil Steele details how Florida State can make College Football Playoff

The Florida State Seminoles could very well find themselves in the College Football Playoff by the end of the year, according to Phil Steele.

FSU found itself with double digit wins under Mike Norvell last season and with a good amount of returning talent, could get even better. That starts with quarterback Jordan Travis, a Heisman Trophy candidate.

In his annual college football preview magazine, Steele broke down how Florida State got here following a slump for a few years.

“Florida State was 59-9 with two playoff appearances from ‘12-16 but were a shocking 26-33 from ‘17-21,” Steele wrote. “Mike Norvell was an unfortunate first-year head coach in the COVID season and opened 3-6 and 5-7 and was on the hot seat in ‘22. He had 17 returning starters and hit the portal hard. I put the Seminoles on my coveted Most Improved List.

“FSU opened an impressive 4-0 with a win over LSU and was ranked for the first time since 2018. They lost three close games in a row to Wake, NC State and Clemson despite a 158 yard edge in those three. FSU then blew out four straight teams before close wins over Florida and Oklahoma to get to 10-3 and No. 11.”

With the turnaround in 2022, Florida State has big expectations this fall. That’ll start with the preseason ranking.

“This year, they will be top 10 in the AP poll for the first time since 2017 when they opened No. 3 but finished 7-6,” Steele wrote. “FSU was the top ACC team in my Average Game Grade at No. 8 (115.7) and their +164.6 YPG in ACC play was No. 1. They rate a Stock Market Indicator of -5.5 but do have 17 returning starters and +43 All-Conference points returning. They do face LSU, Clemson, Pitt, Wake and Florida all away from home. FSU was the only team to lead its conference in total offense and total defense.”

But, it all starts with a huge game against the Tigers to open the season.

“They have a huge opener versus LSU but rank in my Top 15 in seven of the eight position units (ST is ‘only’ No. 34),” Steele wrote. “Florida State figures to be the preseason favorite to win the ACC but will have to win some ‘sod’ games to get to the playoff this year.”

If Florida State starts off on the right foot, there’s no telling what the Seminoles can do this year. That includes the College Football Playoff.