Notre Dame football schedule deep dive: A highly-anticipated bout with FSU... maybe

This game has been circled on Notre Dame football’s schedule since the Seminoles went 13-0 in 2023.

Since the beginning of the 2024 season, however, Week 11’s Notre Dame-Florida State showdown has lost a bit of its “oomph.” Nevertheless, this is a must-win game in the Notre Dame football season.

Florida State began the 2024 season as the No. 10 team in the nation, but are due for a slide after losing to Georgia Tech, 24-21, in Dublin last weekend. As stated in the ND-GT schedule deep dive, the Yellow Jackets were just too physical and shone light on the Seminoles’ weaknesses.

FSU had a tremendous 2023, going 13-0 and finishing (controversially) just outside of the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Jordan Travis was a critical piece in the Seminoles’ success, throwing for 2756 yards with 20 touchdowns through 11 games. After Travis went down following a season-ending leg injury, Tate Rodemaker stepped up and led FSU to an ACC Championship over Louisville.

Wide receiver Keon Coleman and runningback Trey Benson led a star-studded Florida State attack. Coleman racked up 658 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games, and Benson added another 1,137 yards of total offense and found paydirt 15 times. Other key contributors included wide receiver Johnny Wilson and runningback Lawrance Toafili, who each shined on the offensive side of the ball.

Florida State isn't the rival Notre Dame football thought it would be

But Florida State suffered heavy losses this past offseason. The Seminoles lost fifteen starters. Toafili is the only player mentioned thus far who returned.

On the bright side, FSU reloaded well. Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei takes the starting job in 2024, hoping to end his college career with a bang. Notre Dame knows what Uiagalelei is capable of. 

The Seminoles also bring in top recruiting and transfer classes. Check out our breakdown of Georgia Tech for those numbers.

By this point in the season, Florida State will have had eight games to shake off their Week 0 upset. However, this team has a ton to prove before facing possibly their toughest opponent in Notre Dame. Clemson and Miami will be tests for the Seminoles, and there is a very real possibility that FSU is 6-3 heading into South Bend. 

There is also a real possibility that the team is 8-1, trending up.

As for Notre Dame, the team will have a ton of questions answered on Saturday in College Station. If the Irish are at least competitive against Texas A&M’s pass rush, FSU may have some problems getting to Riley Leonard. 

Uiagalelei will have a tough time against Notre Dame’s secondary. Toafili will have difficulties finding holes in the front seven. This one will either be a blowout or a low-scoring affair.

There is no in-between for Notre Dame football.