FSU’s blowout loss to Georgia was not unexpected, but nothing can take away from 2023 season

MIAMI GARDENS — Time to move on.

Time to take the disrespect from the playoff committee, use it as motivation, and turn the page to 2024.

The Florida State-Georgia Orange Bowl went as expected — thank you, playoff committee — and now the Seminoles can put it all behind and move on to more important issues like replacing 14 starters with NFL aspirations and building on the momentum of a 13-1 season.

And, for the university, continuing its attempt to split from the ACC.

The Seminoles finally lost in 2023, but it took fielding a team missing more than 30 scholarship players, including 14 starters. The only surprise in Georgia’s 63-3 victory at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday was it took the Bulldogs 11 minutes to open the scoring and more than a quarter to break it open.

But less than five minutes into the second quarter Georgia led 28-3. And by halftime the spread was 42-3 … comfortable enough for those who jumped on Georgia at minus-23.5 points before kickoff to start contributing to Florida State’s ACC buyout fund.

At halftime, the live line was 51.5 points. At the end of the third quarter it was 59.5 points.

All winners.

“Tonight was a very difficult night,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “It’s been a very difficult month to be honest with you.”

Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half December 30, 2023, in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart pulled several starters after halftime, including QB Carson Beck and running back and game Most Outstanding Player Kendall Milton. But the Bulldogs (13-1) still stumbled into three second-half scores.

Make no mistake, what we witnessed on the field Saturday does nothing to diminsh what the Seminoles accomplished this season with and without Travis Jordan at…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fsus-blowout-loss-georgia-not-015828106.html

Author : Palm Beach Daily News

Publish date : 2023-12-31 01:58:28

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