Welcome to Glass Slipper! Real college football games are being played this week. Put a smile on that face; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

No program has ever been snubbed harder in the College Football Playoff era. Now, a hungry and revitalized group wants vengeance. It’s time to discuss the No. 8 team in the Glass Slipper rankings, Florida State.

Offense

People in the college football world seem to have vastly different opinions on how DJ Uiagalelei is going to play this season. Some have him as a dark horse Heisman candidate, while others have totally written the guy off. I even failed to come to a definitive conclusion when I wrote about DJ exactly one month ago.

I don’t know why we’re all treating this like some big mystery. After thinking about it some more, I realized that I actually know exactly what Uiagalelei will do in Tallahassee. He’s going to be okay. Decent. Fine. Serviceable. A 6.5/10. You know how I know this? Because the guy has now started 40(!!) college football games. He is who he is at this point. How much more do we need to see before reaching a collective conclusion?

With that being said, I still think this is a solid offense. The production won’t happen because DJ is putting on a show, though; this unit will be carried by a dominant line. The Seminoles bring back their tackles and center from last year’s group, and have simply plugged in a pair of SEC transfers at the guard spots. These dudes have a real shot at the Joe Moore Award.

I’m not wowed by the guys in the running back room, but I suspect that they’ll end up looking pretty nice while navigating behind the boys up front. Meanwhile, Malik Benson comes over from Alabama to operate as a burner on the outside. His new team desperately needs him to spark a barren receiving core. Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, and Jaheim Bell all wear NFL uniforms now; it’s time for their understudies to break out, and help Uiagalelei look closer to good than average.

Defense

Give Mike Norvell credit for building a squad that is not just talented, but also really old. Almost every player that will see meaningful snaps for the Seminoles this season was eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft. Gifted 22-year-olds usually have success against gifted 20-year-olds.

Florida State doesn’t necessarily have a transcendent star on this side of the ball, but each position group is sound and has its standouts. Patrick Payton - despite being unbelievably thin for an edge rusher - is the best player on this entire team.

Cam Ward and Kyron Drones are the only ACC quarterbacks that are capable of carving up a good defense, so I think the Seminoles will be fine. Once bowl season rolls around, we’ll find out if these guys can keep some real offenses in check.

Season Outlook

Pre-Bowl Record Prediction: 11-2

Selection Sunday Fan Mood: We won the ACC, so they can’t keep us out of the playoff this time. Watch them change the rules and exclude us again. What’s the committee’s problem? Those people clearly have it out for us. Everyone’s just jealous of our program. Last year’s team got robbed in broad daylight. Let’s go win the national championship and get our revenge.

Pressroom

Spin It

“Love Song” by Sara Bareilles. Not embarrassed whatsoever.