The Florida State Seminoles did more than win a close game Monday night against Ole Miss. They showed the rest of college football that they have what it takes to go the distance. The Seminoles started the season as the 4th best team in the nation but may have left as the 2nd, due to their comeback win against the 11th ranked Ole Miss team. Couple that with Oklahoma’s loss and a tight contest Clemson had against unranked Auburn and the case gets stronger.

What Florida State had to overcome not only showed their strength in talent but the trust of a coaching staff and leadership. The Noles started slow, like 22 points down slow but began to fight back as the defense finally got the stops that were needed and the offense remembered there was a football game to be played.

In 30 minutes the Seminoles mirrored the 1993 Buffalo Bills when they fought back from a 32 point deficit against the Houston Oilers. Everything that went wrong for the Seminoles in the first half went right in the second. QB, Deondre Francois threw for 419 yards on 52 attempts with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Not to be outdone was the play of three others that helped seal the biggest comeback win in school’s history.

[embedit snippet=”2″]

Kicker, yes the kicker, Ricky Aguayo took the Seminoles faithful back to the days of Sebastian Janikowski as he booted six critical field goals, including three from 40+. Another name that is not to be forgotten is that of RB, Dalvin Cook who rushed for 91 yards on 21 attempts but managed to catch seven passes for 101. On the defensive side of the ball, DeMarcus Walker recorded four sacks while his defensive brothers chipped in with three interceptions and a forced fumble.

It was a high scoring game, but it was one of those games that all championship caliber teams must win. It builds characters and for a team like the Seminoles that have positioned themselves as a powerhouse school once again, it was one that was well needed. The 45-34 win was great for the school, but it may turn out to be bad for the rest of college football.

The Noles are back.