The other of affection isnt hate, its indifference. The worst technique to harm your rival isnt by showering hate on them, however by dismissing and disregarding them. Whats worse than being hated? Being forgotten.
Not so way back, Florida State impressed concern and dread, these warfare drums heralding certainly one of your seasons worst beatdowns. However final season, the Noles morphed from terror into terrier, plummeting from a preseason top-10 rating into the depths of a two-win nightmare.
Its robust to overstate the cascade of horrors that was Florida States 2024 season. The Noles went 1-7 in convention play, their solely win a dirty 14-9 survival in opposition to Cal. Their 2-10 document wasnt simply their worst document as a faculty since 1974, it marked the primary time in faculty soccer historical past {that a} program ranked within the preseason high 10 posted double-digit losses. The Seminoles two main rivals, Miami and Florida, greater than doubled up Florida State, successful by a mixed rating of 67-25. The one participant on the crew to win a consensus All-American? Punter Alex Mastromanno. (He had loads of alternatives to burnish his resume.)
The Noles by no means actually recovered from lacking out on the ultimate four-team playoff even after posting an undefeated 2023 season, watching in shock as Alabama jumped them for the ultimate spot. Head coach Mike Norvell saved his job, doubtless because of the $65 million buyout provision he secured after Nick Sabans retirement, however most of FSUs high coordinators misplaced theirs. The one-year DJ Uiagalelei rental proved ineffective; accidents restricted him to 5 video games, and he misplaced 4 of these.
So Florida State has cleared the board. New coordinators, new quarterback, new season, new spherical of hopes and prayers. And theyre flying into their season-opening matchup with enamel bared and knives out, precisely the way in which they should.
New quarterback Tommy Castellanos struck the primary spark again in June when he informed On3 that he was stoked to face Alabama within the season opener. “I dreamed of moments like this,” Castellanos mentioned. “I dreamed of taking part in in opposition to Alabama. They dont have Nick Saban to save lots of them. I simply dont see them stopping me.”
Sure. Sure. Thats the great things there. Something to gentle a hearth underneath the moribund, 15.6-points-per-game Seminoles, a crew that appeared to simply hand over earlier than October final 12 months. Plus, Alabama is a primary goal for this form of jab; exterior of Florida State, the Tide have extra to show in Yr 2 of the Kalen DeBoer Period than virtually every other program within the nation.
This week at ACC Kickoff, Castellanos who transferred to Florida State after dropping his beginning job at Boston School was requested about his Alabama feedback. He politely however firmly doubled down.
We stand on what I mentioned, Castellanos mentioned. However theres no disrespect between that crew or something like that. Its simply the arrogance that I’ve in my teammates and the way in which weve been making ready and placing this preparation collectively this offseason. I simply really feel assured within the guys and the work that weve been placing in.
On the ACC Kickoff, Norvell backed Castellanos, noting that phrases alone wont get the job performed. Weren’t right here to attempt to converse ourselves right into a victory. Have been making an attempt to go earn a victory. You higher present up each single day, and lets go be what had been able to being, he mentioned. If effectively do this, the remaining will care for itself.”
Naturally, Alabama has responded to Castellanos feedback, largely by dismissing them as irrelevant summertime converse. However defensive lineman Tim Keenan III did supply up an ominous warning at SEC Media Days final week:
The disrespect will likely be addressed.
Nonetheless, that is precisely what Castellanos and Florida State should be doing. Its the equal of pushing all-in with the smallest stack on the desk. Chances are high youre going to get whomped Alabama is a 13.5-point favourite proper now, per BetMGM however hey, stack a pair wins right here and there and earlier than lengthy youre again within the recreation.
“That is the outdated Florida State,” Castellanos mentioned this week. That is how dirty and difficult we had been. We wasn’t petrified of no person. We had been already speaking smack and all the time placing concern in individuals’s hearts. I simply wish to re-install what Florida State was and produce that standing and confidence and making individuals concern us.”
No one fears Florida State but. But when Castellanos, Norvell and new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn can again up their angle and their potential with a little bit of struggle, effectively issues can change quick in Tallahassee.
Between Texas-Ohio State and LSU-Clemson, August 30 will likely be one of many most interesting soccer Saturdays of the 12 months. Alabama-FSU falls proper between these two, and it too will likely be a must-watch which isnt one thing you might say about Florida State for fairly awhile now.
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