Unconquered

Florida State fans are very disappointed that this year's team wasn't truly among the national title discussion. That slight chatter quickly ended after the loss to North Carolina State. After the Florida loss, the goals quickly turned to simply winning the ACC and a BCS bowl game.

Take us to present day.

12 - 2. Conference Champs. Orange Bowl Champs. For most schools, that would be an incredible year.

But not at Florida State. With the past success, expectations are much higher, as they should be. Florida State was once the premier college football program in the land. Things change however, and due to the recent let downs, failures and struggles to inferior opponents, Florida State is not considered on the same level nationally, as Alabama, LSU and well, any SEC team that some media members want to throw around at you.

Is that true? Other than Alabama, probably not. Florida State could hang with or defeat any other SEC team right now, other than the Crimson Tide, in my opinion. However, the Seminoles are climbing back to where they belong; among the nation's elite.

Look at the other two 'powerhouses' in the state.

Miami is about to get crushed with NCAA sanctions. They finished 7 - 5, no bowl game, no conference championship and their recruiting is not nearly on the level of Florida State at this time.

Florida finished 11 - 2. No conference championship, no bowl victory. In recruiting, yes, Florida is recruiting at a very high level, but Florida State has some big names still on the radar. They could legitimately close with a collection of Leon McQuay III, Matthew Thomas, Denver Kirkland, Laremy Tunsil, Alex Collins, Priest Willis, Jalen Ramsey, Stacy Coley and Tim Williams (8 of the top 50 players in the country!). If these guys don't end up at Florida State, I believe only one of them will choose Florida. If FSU can simply grab 4 of these guys, that's a terrific finish.

Things can turn in a heartbeat and Florida State can continue this momentum and flip things around in a hurry. Prospects want to play for championships. Only two schools get to play for the title every year. Everyone else is left fighting for a conference championship and Florida State can say that they have a ring. Others cannot.

Stay positive. Realize how much better this program looks compared to a few years ago and appreciate that Florida State is back to being the conference champion and will be the favorite heading into next year.

Things aren't always greener on the other side.