Corey Clark: Florida State is back in the national spotlight! Let’s enjoy that for a moment

There was a moment last weekend, while the Florida State Seminoles were practicing under the lights of Doak Campbell Stadium, where I almost had to pinch myself.

Jaheim Bell made a great catch down the middle of the field. On a throw from Heisman Trophy contender Jordan Travis.

Keon Coleman made a couple of ridiculous catches. Johnny Wilson was still 6-foot-7. There was Trey Benson on one end of the field. There were Jared Verse and Fabien Lovett on another. Destyn Hill was catching a deep pass in 1-on-1 drills. Azareye’h Thomas was knocking a ball away from Wilson on the other.

An offensive line with more than 300 combined starts was getting pushed relentlessly by Alex Atkins.

It was all just too much. It was like sensory overload.

And not because I think this is the most talented team in Florida State history or anything. We all know better than that. That’s not what was so astonishing.

It was reminding myself of where this program was two years ago. Heck, less than two years ago. When Florida State started off 0-4 and lost to Jacksonville State at home.

That was less than 24 months ago!

And now here we are: The No. 8 Seminoles are about to take on No. 5 LSU on a standalone stage tonight in Orlando. With the whole nation watching. With legitimate national championship aspirations.

I mean, what a time to be alive!

In all honesty, I have no idea how this game will play out. I think Florida State is the better team, and I know it’s the more experienced team. But sports are sports. And LSU is LSU. And Brian Kelly is a good coach. So, no, there’s absolutely no guarantee that the Seminoles are going to extend their win streak in season openers to two.

I haven’t watched LSU practice, so I have no idea how good the Tigers are. I know Jayden Daniels is one of the best running quarterbacks in the country. I know Malik Nabers is a good receiver. And I know they have a couple of big-time tight ends and defensive players — most notably linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.

I feel like I have a very strong idea of how good Florida State is, however. Because we’re lucky enough to watch practice just about every day.

And, unless injuries ravage the roster at some point, this is going to be a very, very, very good football team.

That’s what has me most excited about this season. Not just tonight’s top-10 showdown. But the season.

Florida State has dudes, real dudes, all over the place. Coleman is a star. So is Wilson. And Verse. And Benson. And potentially Patrick Payton. I think you’re all going to love watching Braden Fiske play. Same with Jaheim Bell.

And then, of course, there’s the quarterback.

It’s hard to remember the last time I was this excited about a Florida State season starting. And it’s not because I’m expecting a run to a national championship. Odds are this team will lose a game or two. Heck, maybe three!

But it’s going to win a whole bunch, too. It’s going to have more star power than it’s had in a decade. And it’s led by a head coach who has completely revamped, reshaped and reimagined what Florida State football can be.

Is Mike Norvell perfect? Of course not.

But man, just look at what he has done to this program. What he’s done to this roster.

A little less than two years ago, we all watched in stunned disbelief as Jacksonville State scored on the last play of that game and then stayed on the field for what seemed like the next 36 hours celebrating. And that was a bad Jacksonville State team!

That was then. This is now.

If you’re reading this, I know you’re dying for a win tonight. That goes without saying. And a loss would be disappointing. Of course.

But try to enjoy the moment either way.

Because less than 24 months after the darkest days in modern program history, Florida State is back to mattering again. It’s once again a team capable of winning a national championship if things break the right way.

Embrace that. Feel that. Let it wash over you.

I wasn’t sure when Florida State would get back to this point, but I can promise you two Septembers ago I didn’t think it would be this soon.

If the Seminoles win this game tonight, they’ll be in a great position to challenge for a playoff spot. If they don’t, well, the margin for error all but disappears. They won’t be eliminated, but they’ll have to be close to perfect the rest of the way.

But either way, look at this roster. Look at these future NFL players. Look at these stars, all over the field, and appreciate just how far this thing has come.

I know I do.

Contact senior writer Corey Clark at corey@warchant.com.

Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.

The post Corey Clark: Florida State is back in the national spotlight! Let’s enjoy that for a moment appeared first on On3.