A.D. Dave Hart has put a positive spin on the just-released 2007 FSU football schedule, saying " This year is the toughest year we've ever had because it is the
toughest schedule we've had since the early '80s...But I think the finished product is as good as we
could possibly hope for."
Look closely, though, and see where ACC schedulers put FSU at a major disadvantage on Oct. 11, a Thursday night game at Wake Forest before an ESPN national audience.
In the two weeks leading up to that short turn-around, the Noles play Bama (9/29) and N.C. State (10/6). During those same two weeks, Wake has an open date, then plays at Duke — which many pundits would call another off-week. And while the ACC dictates that the home team in a Thursday night game must play on the road the week before, supposedly leveling the playing field, that short bus ride from Winston-Salem to Durham could hardly be called a road trip.
Bottom line: FSU plays the reigning ACC Champs — and a pre-season Top 25 pick — on the road, and on a Thursday night, after two of the Noles toughest opponents, and after the two easiest weeks on Wake's schedule.
Who made up this schedule, Ron Cherry?
Sept. 3 at Clemson (8pm Monday)
Sept. 8 UAB
Sept. 15 at Colorado
Sept. 22 Open
Sept. 29 Alabama (Jacksonville)
Oct. 6 NC State
Oct. 11 at Wake Forest (7:30pm Thursday)
Oct. 20 Miami
Oct. 27 Duke
Nov. 3 at Boston College
Nov. 10 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 17 Maryland
Nov. 24 at Florida
Early warning for Noles making the trip to Winston-Salem: Wake's football stadium will be in the middle of a major construction project, adding seats and suites.
You might want to bring a hard hat.
Comments? Questions? Kudos?