After a rough season
for FSU and UF, Saturday’s game may be part of the ’Noles’ last shot at a bowl bid — if they win.
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State’s unique season is nearing its end, and the Seminoles are relying on their collective pride to produce a strong finish to one of the most disappointing years in program history.
The Seminoles are accustomed to playing archrival Florida in the final week of the season before preparing for either a conference-title game or resting ahead of a bowl.
Instead, FSU will end its season hosting LouisianaMonroe on Dec. 2. The game was rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma and the Seminoles are playing the late-season contest with the hope of extending the nation’s longest bowl streak to 36 years.
A bowl bid will only be on the line assuming Florida State earns a victory at UF, of course.
“I think we have a lot of kids that have a lot of pride. Like I say, they're trying hard, and they understand the legacy which they're playing with but also the way the program was built, the culture of it,” Fisher said of the FSU program, which hopes to secure its 41st consecutive winning season by closing with three victories.
“… I think that's just a tribute to our kids and our coaches, our assistant coaches, to keep their enthusiasm and attitudes sky-high, but I think that's part of the culture here at Florida State and what we've been able to build over time.”
Florida State began the season as the nation’s third-ranked team, hoping to build off a 10-3 campaign and Orange Bowl victory last year with a trip back to the ACC title game and berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time since 2014.
Instead, the Seminoles have been derailed by key injuries — mainly a seasonending knee injury to starting quarterback Deondre Francois — and one of the nation’s most daunting schedules. FSU has lost to No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Miami and No. 3 Clemson this season.
Fisher credited his staff of assistant coaches, some of whom may be in their final seasons with the program, for being honest with the players and keeping them encouraged amid the disappointing season.
The Seminoles have a chance to extend their remarkable bowl streak, end with a winning record and continue the storied legacy that began under legendary coach Bobby Bowden in 1976.
“Things just don't deteriorate over a year. You can overcome things,” Fisher said. “Sometimes you [make] mistakes but as long as that culture and attitude are right, you can overcome them.
“I think that's a tribute to our kids; I really do. And our assistant coaches who have done a really good job of keeping those guys involved and engaged. Very proud of them for doing that.”
Florida State is coming off its second home win of the season, a 77-6 blowout of FCS team Delaware State that allowed true freshman quarterback James Blackman and the Seminoles offense to create some chemistry they hope to build on the rest of the season.
Florida, on the other hand, snapped a five-game losing skid with a 36-7 win over UAB.
Both teams enter the contest with 4-6 records and will play for only the second time below .500 in their storied rivalry.
The Seminoles are riding a four-game win streak in the series and have won six of the past seven games against the Gators, who would love to spoil FSU’s hopes of being bowl-eligible and clinching a winning record.
“The records will go out the window, as they say, when it's a rivalry game,” Fisher said. “But at the same time, you always want to come off a positive performance. It helps your confidence in what goes on.”