Florida State currently stands ranked 16th nationally and is undefeated in the ACC with it's only loss coming at the hands of Oklahoma who is now ranked 5th in the country and poised to make a run at the National Championship. That being said, can Florida State finish the job and get to a BCS bowl game? The first time in nearly six seasons. All signs point to yes.
Florida State has N.C. State, North Carolina, Clemson and Maryland to cap off their conference schedule and every one of those games are must wins and should be sure wins. FSU has a much needed bye week this week which will give Ponder time to get healthy and the rest of the team time to plan for their big game next Thursday night against the Wolfpack of N.C. State; a game that has big ACC implications riding on it.
If Florida State can get past N.C. State, the only real challenge they will have left is Clemson. North Carolina isn't as tough as they were supposed to be because of all of the suspensions and Maryland fell to Clemson last week in a 31-7 beat down. Clemson has two conference losses to North Carolina and Miami. Miami was blown out by FSU in their own backyard so the Clemson game should be a win for the 'Noles.
The ACC championship game is shaping up to be Florida State against Virginia Tech and both teams are undefeated in conference play so it should be a great match-up. If both teams can win out in their seasons, it will be Florida State sitting at 11-1 going against Virginia Tech who would be 10-2. That would make up a championship game against two very good teams with great records.
Florida State has had Virgina Tech's number in the past couple of years winning two out of the last three games against the Hokies including the ACC Championship game in 2005. Florida State poses more of a threat for the Hokies this season and have a very good chance of beating them if in fact they face each other in the ACC championship.
Florida State is poised for it's first BCS birth since 2005 and if they achieve that; it will mark the beginning of what looks to be a very successful tenure for first year head coach Jimbo Fisher. Fisher has proven that he was the right man for the job leading the 'Noles to a 6-1 record and hiring the right coaching staff for these athletes. Bobby Bowden will never be forgotten, nor should he be, but Fisher is putting his stamp on the program and so far so good.
