Florida State traveled all the way to Ireland to face Georgia Tech in the season opener and ended up losing on a last-second kick. The Seminoles struggled to establish their offense and lost to an opponent that was picked to finish ninth in the preseason ACC poll. Despite starting the game with a touchdown drive and two-point conversion to take an early lead, FSU faced issues on offense that lasted throughout the game.
The team’s struggles centered around quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who seemed uncomfortable throwing downfield. The offense was unable to stretch the field, and the defense struggled against Georgia Tech’s experienced offensive line. FSU allowed almost 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns, highlighting key areas for improvement moving forward. With tough matchups against Memphis, Clemson, Miami, North Carolina, and Notre Dame still to come, the Seminoles’ playoff hopes for the 2024 season appear to be in jeopardy.
Despite the disappointing performance, there is a silver lining for FSU in the form of the 12-team College Football Playoff, which provides more flexibility for teams to bounce back from early losses. However, the Seminoles will need to make significant improvements to stand a chance against their upcoming opponents. The loss to Georgia Tech showcased areas of concern for FSU and raised questions about their ability to compete at a high level this season.
On the other hand, Georgia Tech emerged as one of the winners of Week 0, showcasing a strong performance against FSU. The Yellow Jackets’ success can be attributed to their solid running game and offensive line, which set the tone for the game. Head coach Brent Key has established a winning identity for the program, and the victory over FSU positions Georgia Tech as a contender in the ACC. The win should boost the Jackets’ ranking and increase their following moving forward.
SMU also emerged as a winner after a comeback victory against Nevada, despite facing a deficit in the fourth quarter. Tight end RJ Maryland played a key role in SMU’s win, showcasing the team’s resilience and ability to close out games. Conversely, Nevada’s loss highlighted missed opportunities and the need for improvement under new head coach Jeff Choate. The Wolf Pack showed progress but need to capitalize on their potential to secure wins in the future.
Overall, the first week of college football brought both winners and losers, with Florida State falling short in their season opener against Georgia Tech. The Seminoles will need to address key areas of concern on offense and defense to rebound in upcoming matchups. Despite the setback, the College Football Playoff format provides a glimmer of hope for FSU, but significant improvements are necessary for the team to compete at a high level in the 2024 season.
