Why do the Noles Chronically Underachieve?

Canes Rising: I believe Florida State is the most talented team in the ACC. I believe Florida State should compete for the ACC title every year. Yet the Noles are 7-12 in their last nineteen ACC Regular Season games? How is this explained?


Rich at Chant Rant: Well, 7-12 is accurate. But If you include all of FSU's last 19 ACC games -- not just regular season -- you'll see the Noles won the ACC in 2006. During that period they also beat the #2 team in the nation (Boston College in '07), and a UCLA team that had just embarrassed #1 USC.

Yet the fact is Florida State just isn't the same team that dominated the ACC for more than a decade. Why?

First, the loss of key assistants like Mark Richt. His replacement, the son of a certain coach, and supporting cast of coaches just didn't have the same magic touch -- both on the field and on the recruiting trail. The talent margin between the Noles and the rest of the conference shurnk. Meanwhile, teams like Clemson closed that gap, and the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech ensured that it would be difficult for any team to dominate.

Today, the House that Bowden built is in the process of being renovated from the foundation up. How far has FSU come to being a weekly Top 25 team and annual ACC title contender again? Ask me Saturday evening after the final gun at Dolphin Stadium.