Florida State is looking to bounce back in 2025 from a disappointing 2-10 season. However, there’s no mistaking that they have built an incredible legacy in the sport of college football.
Andy Staples certainly believes that’s the case. He compiled a list of what he feels are the 12 blue blood programs in college football. The criteria are to have a top 15 winning percentage in a minimum of 750 games and to have at least one national title in the AP or coaches poll era as well as winning the final game of the BCS or College Football Playoff era. FSU made the list.
The Seminoles were the most dominant team of the 1990s. They boosted the highest winning percentage of the decade at 89 percent. Florida State would win two national championships during that span (1993 and 1999) and played in five title games. Also, they finished in the top five every season during that span.
Although FSU lost the national title game to the Oklahoma Sooners in 2000, they finished in the top five again. That made it 14 consecutive seasons that the Seminoles accomplished that. There were some lean years for Florida State at the end of legendary coach Bobby Bowden’s time in Tallahassee. However, former coach Jimbo Fisher got the program back to prominence.
On the arm of Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, FSU was dominant in 2013. They led the nation in total defense and set the record for the most points scored in a season with 723 (LSU broke it in 2019 with 726). Florida State capped the year off with the program’s third national championship after defeating the Auburn Tigers. They finished with a 14-0 record which was the program’s second undefeated season (1999).
Florida State has not won a title since then. However, they did play in the first College Football Playoff in 2014 before losing in the semifinals against the Oregon Ducks.
The Seminoles should certainly be proud of the legacy they’ve built. Hopefully, this season is the beginning of the road back to the top of the collegiate ranks for them.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU named one of college football’s Blue Blood programs
Reporting by Matthew Lenix , FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
