Jan. 25, 2026, 12:22 p.m. ET
It is rare for a team to finish a season at 5-7 and still carry legitimate top-25 expectations the following year. Florida State managed an even more extreme version of that swing just months ago, collapsing to a 2-10 finish before surging into the top 10 after defeating Alabama, East Texas A&M, and Kent State. Of course, the way that story ended is still fresh in everyone’s mind, with a total collapse after the Virginia game.
Thanks to their potential, Florida State has managed to be in the top half of the country in The Athletic’s post-national championship ranking, with the Seminoles landing at No. 68 out of 136.
Surrounding them are the No. 67 Florida Gators, who finished 4-8 this year, and the No. 69 South Carolina Gamecocks, who finished 4-8 as well. Some other notable finishers are Miami, who unsurprisingly finished at No. 2 after being defeated in the national championship by Indiana. Clemson finishes at No. 43, and Virginia at No. 15.
The Seminoles open their 2026 season against the New Mexico State Aggies in Tallahassee on Aug. 29.
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