When you think a college football season can’t possibly get worse, well, it usually can.
Ohio State fans think it can’t get worse than losing to Michigan. Oklahoma fans probably think it doesn’t get much worse than falling from 10-2 to 6-6 in their first year of SEC play behind a brutal offensive line. Missing a bowl as the Alabama head coach would likely result in an immediate firing.
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Folks, it can get a whole lot worse for all of these programs, because we know there is one College Football Playoff contender in particular that can not possibly disappoint expectations worse than they did a year ago. On the “College GameDay” Podcast this week, ESPN’s Rece Davis singled out that one program and called for a great leap forward in 2025.
“Florida State has to be better than it was last year,” Davis asserted to podcast guest Dan Wetzel. “It would be impossible for them to be worse.”
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch
Rece Davis emphasizes two big additions for Florida State
One on hand, a disaster as bad as 2024 feels hard to replicate no matter what transpires, but Davis also touts personnel and coaching changes that should grease the wheels for a better ride in 2025.
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“New (offensive) coordinator with Gus Mazahn, Thomas Castellanos coming in from Boston College as their quarterback,” he added.
Of course, Malzahn is a former national championship winner as the head coach of Cam Newton’s Auburn squad, while new QB1 Castellanos managed to draw casual fans to Boston College football last season with his dynamic combination of arm + legs out of the pocket.
With such upgrades in place, Davis wonders if he’s the crazy person for believing these Seminoles can repeat their 2023 season rather than 2024.
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Florida State Seminoles’ quarterback Thomas Castellanos Melina Myers/Imagn Images
“Would you buy them, Mr. Wetzel?” he asked. “Or would you say that I’m insane for saying that this team potentially could make could make it to the ACC championship game?”
Wetzel answered that no, Davis is not a lunatic for this belief, and the two agreed that Florida State is certainly a prime candidate to make that flip from the cellar to the ceiling in a power conference.
So, the good news? Results can’t really get worse. The bad news? 2025 doesn’t promise they’re going to be that much better, either.
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Dave Clawson tells Davis that Florida State has ‘greatest range’ of outcomes
Former Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson also joined Davis during the podcast and agreed with the ESPN host that FSU has a world of potential this fall. But, he believes a second straight poor season is possible as well.
“They’re the toughest team in the ACC, because it wouldn’t shock me if they went 10-2 and it wouldn’t shock me if they went 4-8,” said Clawson, who re-emphasized Davis’ earlier point that the new quarterback in Castellanos may make the difference.
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“I think they have the greatest range, and a lot of it is going to be on the quarterback,” Clawson continued. “Right now, he’s talking a pretty good game and he is a good player.”
Thomas Castellanos, Gus Malzahn and the bevy of changes begotten by such a horrid 2024 season make for a completely different team in 2025, which means hope for better but also a complete unknown.
“You know, they basically had a whole program reset,” added Clawson.
Related: Alabama Dealt Concerning Injury News Before Week 1 Game Against Florida State
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
