Joel Klatt remains 'cautious' with Florida State after Week 10
Florida State is sitting pretty at 9-0 heading into the final three games of the season, right on track for a berth in the College Football Playoff. But Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt isn’t all the way in on the Seminoles just yet.
Mostly, he’s concerned that the Seminoles have really not had a dominant stretch of play. Outside of the second half of the season opener, Klatt has been underwhelmed by Florida State.
“I’m just still cautious with Florida State. They have not shown the level of dominance, outside of the second half against LSU in the first game of the year. They don’t show the flashes like everybody else at the top of the sport. But they’re still here and they’re finding a way and more power to them. And like I said, clinched a game, a spot in that ACC Championship game. They’re lack of dominance on a week-to-week basis is the worry for Florida State,” Klatt said.
Klatt was mostly concerned with how Florida State looked against Pitt, a team that recently lost to Notre Dame 58-7.
The Seminoles were down star wideouts Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson in that game, but Klatt isn’t interesting in excuse making.
“Only led 10-7 at half against Pitt. Remember, that’s a Pitt team that the week prior lost 58-7 to Notre Dame. But, Florida State was able to clinch a spot in the ACC Championship Game. So they’re ticking off these wins. And good for them. I get it. They didn’t have a lot of their players. Wilson wasn’t playing. Coleman wasn’t playing. So you weren’t going to expect them to go out there and be at their best, but still, a 10-7 game at half to Pitt, don’t love that. Remember, that Pitt team is in a tumultuous time. Their players on social media talking about the coach and what he’s saying in press conferences. They just lost 58-7 to Notre Dame. Not a great look,” Klatt said.
Klatt also considered if Washington should leapfrog the Seminoles
When looking at the College Football Playoff rankings, there are probably two tiers when it comes to the undefeated teams. Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State all have cases for the No. 1 spot, while the Buckeyes currently hold it. Behind those three are Florida State and Washington, with both controlling their own destiny to being one of the final four teams.
In the latest rankings, Florida State is currently ranked ahead of Washington. However, if it were up to FOX’s Joel Klatt, he would have the Huskies a spot higher than the Seminoles. Especially after how they performed on Saturday at the Coliseum against USC.
“The way that Washington went out there and played last weekend in what was an unbelievable game against USC, I thought there might be some movement there,” Klatt said. “If you’re asking me, I think Florida State is probably, right now, the weakest of the undefeated.”
Florida State did not have their best game on Saturday against Pitt. But it’s more than just the eye test for Klatt. He likes Washington when looking at the resume as well.
“I think Washington, at least with the Oregon win, probably better from a resume standpoint,” Klatt said. “It remains to be seen how it plays out, in particular, that conference. Meanwhile, Florida State — they have a very clear path to remain undefeated with their future schedule and winning the ACC. Which would put them in.”