Episode Notes: Will Florida State Be BETTER or WORSE in 2026?
Florida State Seminoles LIVE #328
Hosts: Gus Wilson & Cole Kruger
**Platform: Florida State at the Voice of College Football (FSUVOCFB)

Gus Wilson and Cole Kruger break down Florida State's projected 2026 offense position-by-position compared to 2025, then analyze common opponents on the schedule to predict if the Seminoles will perform better or worse. The episode leans optimistic overall on the offense despite some challenges.

Quarterback Room

• Verdict: Better depth, toss-up on starter output.
• Ashton Daniels (experienced, similar style to Tommy Castellanos), Kevin Sperry, and Malachi Marshall provide stronger depth than the 2025 group (Castellanos, Brock Glenn, Sperry).
• Experience edge to Daniels, but turnover concerns remain similar.

Running Back Room

• Verdict: Biggest upgrade / Clearly better.
• 2026 features a strong "Thunder & Lightning" duo in Quintravion Weisner (proven portal addition) and Usman Chroma (high-upside sophomore).
• Depth includes Sam Singleton. Far superior speed and talent vs. 2025’s Roydell Williams, Gavin Sawchuck, and Jalen Lucas.

Wide Receiver Room

• Verdict: Slight step back in raw talent, but potentially better production.
• Lost high-upside transfers (Lawayne McCoy, Hykeem Williams). Retained Javon Boggs, Deuce Robinson, and Micah Dancy.
• Squirrel White’s minimal 2025 impact (only ~52 yards) means the room may not lose much production. Boggs & Dancy are maturing.

Tight End Room

• Verdict: Better depth and continuity.
• De’Zario Riles expected to mirror Randy Pittman’s blocking-heavy role.
• Stronger backups in Landon Thomas and Chase Lofton (high upside redshirt freshman). Amari Williams was mostly a defensive player.

Offensive Line

• Verdict: Leaning better (50/50 on exact performance).
• Key additions/returns: Xavier Chaplin (blindside) and Andre Otto.
• Deeper guard room and more competition. Hard to evaluate fully without camp/tape, but better anchors than 2025.

Focus on whether FSU performs better or worse than in 2025:

• Alabama (Road): Worse — Tough road opener after bye; hard to replicate 2025 home performance.
• Virginia (Home): Better — Revenge game at Doak; Virginia expected to regress.
• Miami (Road): Worse — Miami remains elite; 2025 loss was more lopsided than the score suggested.
• Clemson (Home): Better — Halloween night game in Doak; both programs trending down but easier at home.
• Pitt (Road): Worse — Pitt returns talent and is rising in the ACC; Friday night road game.
• NC State (Home): Better — Very low bar from 2025’s poor performance.
• Florida (Home?): Better — Rivalry game; hard to play worse than recent embarrassments.

Overall Schedule Takeaway: Split decision on common opponents (~3 better, ~3 worse), but home/road dynamics and revenge factor heavily influence outcomes.

• Offense in 2026: Better on paper, especially at RB and depth across most groups.
• Running game improvement is the biggest key to success.
• Special teams (not deeply covered) also expected to improve.
• Hosts are cautiously optimistic that FSU will be a more competitive and fun team to watch offensively.

Next Episode: Defensive depth chart and "Better or Worse" analysis.

Recommended Clips / Highlights:

• Running back room discussion (biggest excitement)
• Offensive line uncertainty
• Schedule predictions (Alabama/Miami vs. Virginia/Clemson)

This episode serves as a solid mid-offseason temperature check for Seminoles fans.

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