I think it’s fair to say that the Seminoles’ season has so far been one giant disaster. To say the least. After being ranked as high as #5 in the AP Poll, the Seminoles are in the midst of a three-game losing skid and have tumbled all the way out of the Top 25. They’re hoping to snap that skid against Duke this weekend, but their season is already effectively over; their hopes of competing in any of the major BCS bowls are done.
One of FSU’s problems has been that they have had a rash of injuries this year, the latest of which could have a considerable impact on the remainder of the season. From Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel:
Two players, running back Chris Thompson and offensive tackle Andrew Datko, appear to be in the middle of long-term ailments that may keep them off the field the remainder of the season.
Thompson broke two vertebrae in his back during last Sunday’s loss to Wake Forest, and he will be in a back brace for up to three months. Considering the nature of his injury, Thompson is lucky he doesn’t need surgery.
Meanwhile, Datko has been playing through a shoulder injury all season, but coach Jimbo Fisher is now saying that Datko will likely be out the remainder of the season. In other words, it feels as though the Seminoles are turning their attention toward next season; if they aren’t going to compete this year, why risk one of your star players not being 100% for next season? Let him heal, while testing out the younger players on your team.