Eli Drinkwitz wants the Florida State chatter shut down before Missouri turns its attention fully to Texas.
At his Tuesday press conference, the Missouri coach made it plain that he is not part of the Seminoles’ search.
“I’m not a candidate at Florida State. I want to clear that up,” he said. “Let’s focus on the main thing, which is Texas, and let’s eliminate all the distractions and clear the clutter from that standpoint for my team and for everybody out there.”
That message came with Missouri and Texas both sitting at 6-2 heading into Saturday’s matchup, a game with major Southeastern Conference and College Football Playoff implications.
Drinkwitz has been at Missouri since 2020 and has already been connected to several high-profile openings during recent coaching cycles. He was reportedly near the top of Florida’s candidate list after Billy Napier was fired last year, but he never pursued that job or the LSU vacancy.
Instead, he signed a six-year extension with Missouri that averages $10.75 million per year. Across seven seasons in Columbia, he is 52-31.
For now, his focus is on the challenge Texas presents, especially Arch Manning.
“You can’t just say we’re going to pressure him all game,” Drinkwitz said of Manning. “You know, Mississippi State was doing that, and then late in the game, he got a one-on-one matchup to put the game away with a dagger throw on the inside fade.
You can’t just play drop coverage because he does a great job of scrambling. So you’re going to have to intermix what you do within the realm of what we do.”
In Other News...
Florida States Rebuilt Roster Already Looks Ahead Of Schedule
Florida States mens basketball rebuild already looks like it may be moving faster than expected. The Seminoles opened the regular season with a 112-69 win over Florida A&M, and the early signs matched what they had shown in exhibitions: a group that looks comfortable, deep and ready to play at a higher level than many expected this soon.
Sebastian Rancik led the way with 25 points, Marcis Ponder added a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony Robinson II chipped in 16 points as Luke Loucks second-season roster kept the pressure on from start to finish. Built through transfers and recruits, this group still has plenty of time to reveal its ceiling, but the first real game suggested the Seminoles may already be ahead of schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Has A Real Chance To Change This Seasons Story
Boston College has already shown enough this fall to make its final month worth watching, and the Eagles 4-4 record is a clear step forward from last seasons 2-10 finish. There is still work to do, but the improvement is real, and the schedule now turns into a proving ground with Florida State, Notre Dame, Syracuse and Miami still ahead.
For Florida State, that means a team with something to play for is coming into the matchup with momentum and a chance to keep changing the shape of its season. Bowl eligibility is still in reach if Boston College can handle the right games in this stretch, which gives this one a little extra edge for a Seminoles team trying to protect its own footing down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Offense Just Lost A Weapon It Couldnt Afford To Lose
Florida States offense took another hit when wide receiver Duce Robinson was confirmed to have suffered a season-ending ACL tear after leaving the Clemson game injured. The timing could hardly be worse for a unit already trying to navigate multiple injuries, including issues at running back, leaving the Seminoles thinner in places they could least afford to be.
Robinsons absence changes the way Florida State has to think about its passing game moving forward, especially with so much production now needing to be redistributed. One possible answer is a heavier dose of tight ends as targets, but replacing a player of Robinsons caliber is never a simple one-for-one fix, and the Seminoles will have to adjust quickly if they want to keep the offense on schedule. [Read more 🡒]