FSU Football: 3 Reasons The Seminoles Can Still Win The National Title

Here are the three reasons why FSU football is not out of the national title picture after losing to Louisville this weekend.

Well, any chance of a perfect season went out the window in a big way Saturday. The 63-20 loss to Louisville – the most points given up in the 70 seasons of FSU football – has most of FSU football nation wondering what to make of the 2016 ‘Noles.

On paper, with games left against North Carolina, Miami, Clemson and Florida among others, FSU football can really see the sky fall if they aren’t careful and easily be a four or five loss team. On the flip side, the Seminoles still have a good chance of playing for the national title.

No, that’s not a typo…and no, I’m not on anything while writing this.

The Seminoles are far from being out of the race for the ACC title, a College Football Playoff berth and a national title game appearance – and here are the three reasons why they can still win the title.

Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) avoids the tackle of Florida State Seminoles linebacker Dontavious Jackson (5) during the second quarter at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 – If you’re going to lose, do it on September 17th

There really is never a good time to lose and you should always want to go 15-0 with the new playoff system. That’s not going to happen now after Saturday’s massacre – but the date of this year’s loss may be a blessing in disguise.

Realistically when you looked at the FSU football schedule for 2016, the only two games the ‘Noles could lose and still be in the running for the ACC and CFP was the opener against Ole Miss and the ACC opener against Louisville.

With the ‘Noles falling to 14th in the polls, there is plenty of work to do. That being said, there is also 10 weeks left in the regular season to work their way back up – more than enough time to do so.

Nov 7, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) carries for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 – The Seminoles have plenty of games left to help their stock

While FSU football is going to need some serious help from their ACC counterparts when it comes to giving Louisville at least two conference losses, the Seminoles still have plenty of teams on their schedule that can help them look real good to the playoff committee.

If the Seminoles play their cards right, they could face as many as four more ranked teams before the end of the regular season (North Carolina, Miami, Clemson and Florida). A sweep of those games not only keeps them in the ACC title hunt (with help mentioned above), but moves their resume to the top of the pile come playoff consideration time.

That many good games can also backfire and lead to a 8-4 season real quick if the ‘Noles don’t play their cards right. But lets not think like that, okay?

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 – The last two CFB Playoff champions have had a September loss

You don’t want to compare yourself to others, but in the case of the Seminoles it might be the best thing to do.

In 2014, Ohio State was embarrassed at home in the second game of the season by a Virginia Tech team that went on to finish the year 7-5. In 2015, it was Alabama losing at home to an Ole Miss team for the second straight year – the same Rebels team that had a decent number of players return and lose to FSU football just two weeks ago.

By no stretch of the imagination does that mean the Seminoles should just wait for their invitation to the playoff system in 2016. By the same token, it keeps that hope alive that the playoffs are still possible after a 43 point loss.