FSU National Championships

Florida State football has been one of college football’s elite programs since former Head Coach Bobby Bowden first led the Seminoles to the National spotlight in the late 1970s. Since then, a drumbeat of excellence has delivered multiple FSU national championships and three Heisman Trophy winners. In this section, we take a look at the ‘Noles championship seasons and the FSU legends that led them to victory.

Three National Titles Highlight Decades of FSU Dominance

YearCoachRecordPolls/Playoffs
1993Bobby Bowden12-1No. 1 in Final AP & Coaches Poll
1999Bobby Bowden12-0BCS Championship Game
2013Jimbo Fisher14-0BCS Championship Game
FSU 1993 National Championship

FSU 1993 National Championship Season

The 1993 football season was a memorable one for Florida State, with the team displaying a dominant performance throughout. Though they suffered a loss to Notre Dame in November, the Seminoles bounced back and continued to win in impressive fashion. Notably, FSU secured four shutout victories throughout the season, including an incredible 57-0 win over Clemson and a 51-0 victory over Georgia Tech.

But what truly shone through that season was the Seminoles’ ability to triumph over their biggest rivals. FSU defeated third-ranked Miami 28-10 in early November, and later in the season, the team went on to upend 7th ranked Florida 33-21 in a game that truly showcased their abilities. These victories were essential in helping the Seminoles establish their dominance and make a strong case for their right to compete for the national championship title.

And on January 1, 1994, the Seminoles got their chance to do just that. In a thrilling game against Nebraska, FSU fought hard, with Charlie Ward proving pivotal in leading the team to victory. Ward’s impressive season performance helped him secure the Heisman Trophy that year, making him the first Heisman recipient in FSU history.

Florida State 1993 Season Leaders

Floyd Goes in the First Round

Following the ‘Noles 1993 season, William Floyd was the first Florida State player selected in the NFL Draft. The FB was selected 28th overall by the San Francisco 49ers. Floyd became the first rookie in NFL history to score 3 TDs in an NFL playoff game. Tight end Lonnie Johnson was a second round pick by the Buffalo Bills with the draft’s 69th pick

Ward Dribbles into the NBA’s First Round

Following his Heisman and national championship career, Ward opted to play in the NBA after passing on the NFL. Ward was selected by the New York Knicks with the 26th pick of the 1994 NBA Draft. Ward’s NBA career spanned 11 seasons.

FSU 1999 National Championship

FSU 1999 National Championship Season

The 1999 season started in dominating fashion for Florida State. The Seminoles scored 41 or more points in their first five games, showcasing the talent and skill of their offense. They also secured big wins over four ranked opponents, including a 31-21 victory over No. 19 Miami and a 30-23 win at No. 3 Florida. The team showed no signs of slowing down as they advanced to the BCS Championship Game.

In the championship game, they faced a tough opponent in Virginia Tech led by quarterback Michael Vick. However, the Seminoles pushed to a 28-14 halftime lead, thanks in part to the excellence of quarterback Chris Weinke who threw two touchdown passes in the first half. Despite some strong plays and efforts by Virginia Tech in the second half, Florida State continued to dominate, particularly through the performance of receiver Peter Warrick. He provided the majority of the Seminoles’ big plays and was named the game’s MVP. Florida State won the game 46-29, securing their second national championship.

The Seminoles overcame a disappointing end to the previous season in which they had lost to Tennessee in the inaugural BCS Championship Game. The 1999 season saw them bounce back and prove their ability to compete at the highest level. While the victory may be remembered for their offensive production, their defense was equally stellar, holding Virginia Tech to only 29 points. Further, Sebastian Janikowski’s kicking was crucial to the team’s success, as he won the Lou Groza Award that season.

Overall, the 1999 Florida State team was a well-oiled machine. They had an experienced coach in Bobby Bowden, explosive offensive talent, a solid defense, and a strong special teams unit. All of these facets of the team came together to create an unbeatable squad.

Florida State 1999 Season Leaders

‘Noles in the 2000 NFL Draft

Following their national championship win over Virginia Tech, FSU made another loud splash when the 2020 NFL Draft was held in April. Three Seminoles were selected in the first round including two who who heard their names called in the draft’s first six picks. Peter Warrick was selected No. 4 by the Cincinnati Bengals, DT Corey Simon No. 6 by Philadelphia and K Sebastian Janikowski headed to the Oakland Raiders with pick No. 17.

FSU 2013 National Championship

FSU 2013 National Championship Season

Florida State was the talk of the town in the 2013 college football season. With an undefeated 14-0 overall record, the Seminoles played an unprecedented brand of football. The team’s confidence was sky-high with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston leading the charge. FSU scored an astonishing 51.6 points per game and even registered a mind-boggling 80 points against an overmatched Idaho team.

What made the Seminoles’ victory more impressive was the manner in which they defeated their rivals Miami and Florida. The team outscored No. 7 Miami 41-14 and toppled Florida 37-7. There was an unmistakable buzz around the team, and they were heading into the championship game with a mountain of confidence.

The national championship game saw FSU go up against Auburn, who had an unbeaten 12-0 record before the game. The Seminoles found themselves trailing 21-10 at half-time and needed to pull off a comeback for the ages. The game’s pivotal moment saw FSU’s defense step up, and with the offense hitting its stride, the Tigers were slowly tamed, one touchdown at a time.

The fourth quarter belonged to Florida State, as they scored 21 points, including a touchdown with only thirteen seconds left on the clock, to snatch the victory from Auburn’s clutch. The game’s MVP honours were awarded to Jameis Winston for his outstanding offensive performance and P.J. Williams for his awe-inspiring defensive efforts.

Florida State 2013 Season Leaders

‘Noles in the 2014 NFL Draft

Following FSU’s national title, QB Jameis Winston returned for another season. Therefore with the future No. 1 NFL pick back in Tallahassee, it was WR Kelvin Benjamin who was FSU’s only player selected in the draft’s first round. Benjamin was picked in the draft’s No. 28 slot by the Carolina Panthers. S Lamarcus Joyner (St. Louis Rams) and DT Timmy Jernigan (Baltimore) were second round selections.

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