FSU faces challenging 2018 season,
Seminoles will end 2018 with tough stretch
TALLAHASSEE — New Florida State coach Willie Taggart and the Seminoles will have to face Louisville and Miami on the road in consecutive weeks and will end the 2018 season with a daunting five-game stretch.
Take a closer look at the Florida State 2018 football schedule released Wednesday by the ACC.
Sept. 3: vs. Virginia Tech
FSU begins its 2018 season at home in Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time since 2015. The opener that will pit Taggart against Hokies coach Justin Fuente, who was reportedly a target for the FSU coaching job after Jimbo Fisher’s departure to Texas A&M. Sept. 8: vs. Samford The Seminoles will face a quick turnaround playing their second game of the season five days after the season opener. FSU will play Samford for the first time since 2010. Former coaches Bobby Bowden and Fisher played at Samford. Sept. 15: at Syracuse FSU needed former standout safety Derwin James to block a game-tying field goal to escape with a 27-24 win over Syracuse last season. The Seminoles hope to extend their 10-game series win streak over the Orange.
Sept. 22: vs. Northern Illinois
FSU’s nonconference schedule lacks a big-time opponent, outside of its annual rivalry game against Florida, but it will deliver a rematch of the 2012 Orange Bowl game against the Huskies. FSU won that game 31-10, sparking the school’s run to the 2013 national championship. Sept. 29: at Louisville The Seminoles will visit Louisville for the first time since their 52-20 loss in 2015 with hopes of ending a twogame skid against the Cardinals. Louisville will be without Heisman Trophy quarterback Lamar Jackson, who left early for the NFL. Oct. 6: at Miami Taggart will get his first taste of the heated FSU-UM rivalry. Coach Mark Richt and the Hurricanes snapped the Seminoles’ seven-game win streak in the series last season. History is on FSU’s side — the Seminoles have not lost to the Hurricanes in South Florida since 2004. Oct. 13: Bye week The Seminoles’ bye comes during Week 7, after two consecutive road games against Louisville and Miami. Oct. 20: vs. Wake Forest The Seminoles needed a 40-yard, game-winning touchdown pass from James Blackman to receiver Auden Tate to beat the Demon Deacons last season. FSU hopes to win its seventh straight game over Wake Forest. Oct. 27: vs. Clemson Taggart will face Clemson coach Dabo Swinney for the first time in his coaching career hoping to snap the Seminoles’ threegame skid against the Tigers. The matchup between the ACC rivals has been significant recently, with the winner earning a berth in the ACC title game from 2009-15. Nov. 3: at NC State Florida State will hope to avenge last season’s 27-21 loss to NC State. After the game, Wolfpack standout defensive end Bradley Chubb spit on the midfield logo at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles had won four straight against the Wolfpack before last season’s game, which was James Blackman’s debut as FSU’s starting quarterback.
Nov. 10: at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., NBC
Florida State will renew its series with Notre Dame, visiting Notre Dame Stadium for the fourth time in school history and first time since a 37-0 victory in 2003.
Nov. 17: vs. Boston College
FSU’s seven-game win streak against Boston College ended with a 35-3 loss to the Eagles in 2017. The game that dropped the Seminoles to 2-5 and became a turning point for the team last season. The teams have played on Friday nights during the past three seasons, but they will play on a Saturday night for the first time since 2014. Nov. 24: vs. Florida Taggart and new Florida coach Dan Mullen will face off in their first matchup as head coaches in the FSUUF rivalry. The Seminoles will aim to extend their fivegame win streak over the Gators. FSU’s last loss in the series came in 2012 at Doak Campbell Stadium.