The Florida State Seminoles were a hot team heading into the end of last year until disaster struck… can they get back?
The Mailroom is back, with another set of three questions sent in from readers across the United States. In this issue, we’ll tackle Florida State’s outlook for the 2024 season– can they truly run it back with a reset roster? Plus, what we’re hearing about College Football 25 and if Penn State’s Drew Allar is truly the answer in Happy Valley.
Even in the dog days of June, questions arise that get us thinking on another level. We start fantasizing and hypothesizing about every question that gets sent in. To submit questions, send your inquries to: thesidelinecatch@gmail.com.
Can Florida State truly run it back? They lost Jordan Travis and Keon Coleman. Their offensive battery is gone and we all saw how they did without Travis– what’s the outlook like in Tallahassee?
Andrea J. | Lake City, FL
That’s the true question Andrea, and answers are tough to get. The Seminoles performed awful without Jordan Travis after his gruesome leg injury and with his departure to the NFL, it seems like the team might have to take a regression. But, the team did manage to land seasoned veteran DJ Uiagalelei in the transfer portal from Oregon State. Uiagalelei seems to be a perfect fit in Tallahassee, and why not? His experienced presence elevates the offense to new levels that are required in a transitionary period.
It seems though that the team is in good position to make another run. Clemson’s transfer philosophy (or lack thereof) knocks them down as the ‘Noles’ only major competition. If DJ can do his job, the team will be in striking distance late in the year to try and make the ACC Championship Game.
The defense only adds to the support. The secondary is set to be one of the best in the nation. Patrick Surtain Sr. has done an excellent job of building a solid set of cornerbacks and safeties that have been ready to step up since the group lost three in the offseason mix. AZ Thomas and Fentrell Cypress are some of the lankiest corners in the game– a premium at the college level and safety Shyheim Brown will lead the charge.
What are we hearing about College Football 25? It seems like there’s something new out every day. Is it true Road to Glory won’t start in high school?
Amid R. | Beaumont, TX
We’re hearing a lot. Now that the game is actively available for pre-order through EA Sports, it’s about time we start deciding if we should put our money towards it. Critics have regarded the game as incredibly smooth, unlike Madden. The game runs on an unknown engine– but some have speculated it’s the same Frostbite engine that EA has been using on most of its sports games.
However, the game employs physics-based tackling, something we haven’t seen since the last NCAA title nearly ten years ago. Running the ball is smoother if you follow your blockers making it more realistic than football games in years’ past. It seems as though the game has much more depth in terms of actual in-game usability. Pre-snap options are filled with breadth and playbooks are customized to each team.
And yes, it is true that Road to Glory will not start in high school like in previous titles. That is a bummer and sucks. But, we’ll have to actually play and see how bad that change really is. This game didn’t have the basis as other NCAA titles which had the previous year to layer off of. It’s very much a possibility it could be an inclusion into next year’s title.
Is Drew Allar really the answer for Penn State? It seems tougher and tougher to justify him starting for the Nittany Lions every day. He disappointed me last year, do you think he will again this season?
Mitchell N. | Downingtown, PA
I’ve never been too low on Drew Allar, rather his situation. The Lions’ offensive woes last season was enough for head coach James Franklin to let go of his offensive coordinator and double down on Allar as the starting presence on the team. Allar also only threw two interceptions last year, showing his ability to protect the football.
The main issue in my book is the lack of solid wide receivers for the Nittany Lions– namely last year. Julian Fleming will make a big impact if he’s finally healthy as Allar finally has a decent option to throw to. So, no. I don’t think Allar will be a massive disappointment this year, nor do I think he ever really was. If Franklin and his new OC Adam Kotelnicki can figure out how to utilize a balanced spread of run and pass, I think Allar will fill his shoes just fine.
