Florida State entered the 2024 college football season with sky-high expectations, aiming for a national championship run after a dominant 2023 campaign. The Seminoles had gone undefeated the previous season, only to be controversially left out of the College Football Playoff. Fueled by a sense of revenge, they looked poised to prove they were among the elite programs in the country. However, just three weeks into the season, those championship hopes have quickly disintegrated.
On Saturday, Florida State suffered a crushing 20–12 loss to the Memphis Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium, dropping their record to a shocking 0–3. It was another lackluster showing from Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, whose struggles have mirrored the team’s inability to live up to their preseason hype. Following a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland on August 24 and another to Boston College the previous week, the Seminoles now find themselves in a hole few could have predicted.
The Seminoles’ performance against Memphis was riddled with mistakes. They converted only two of their 12 third-down attempts and committed three turnovers, crippling their offensive momentum. The ground game was almost nonexistent, with Florida State averaging just 1.5 yards per rush. Defensively, they couldn’t get Memphis off the field, as the Tigers controlled the clock and dominated time of possession by more than 13 minutes.
The loss represents a stunning collapse for a team that entered the season with high hopes. Fans and analysts alike took to social media to vent their frustration, with some mocking Florida State’s disastrous start and others demanding immediate changes within the program. However, much of the fans’ ire was unexpectedly directed at a Florida State male cheerleader, who became the focal point of online roasting following the defeat.
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The 0–3 record has turned the Seminoles from preseason darlings to the punchline of college football discussions.
While much of the criticism has centered around Uiagalelei’s inconsistent play, the problems for Florida State run much deeper. Their offensive line has struggled to protect the quarterback, the rushing attack has been ineffective, and their defense has been unable to make crucial stops when needed. The team’s discipline has also been called into question, with turnovers and penalties further compounding their woes.
Despite the mounting frustration, Florida State must quickly regroup as they search for their first win of the season. The Seminoles will face off against California next Saturday, hoping to turn things around before their season spirals even further out of control.
With national championship dreams already dashed, the focus for Florida State has shifted to salvaging their season and restoring some pride to the program.
As the college football world continues to pile on the Seminoles for their unexpected and disappointing start, all eyes will be on whether they can bounce back or if this season will continue to unravel.
