Over the weekend, Florida A&M and Florida State University held their first scrimmage games.
On Saturday, Rattlers’ Head Coach Willie Simmons took his team up the road to his hometown of Quincy, Florida. During a post-game interview, the sixth-year head coach spoke on his team’s success and what that looks like moving forward.
“We’re talented but like we keep saying, talent isn’t enough," said Simmons. "It takes more than talent to be a champion football team and we have got to do the little things right. It starts with meetings, walkthroughs, and putting it all together when it comes time to compete.”
FAMU is coming off three consecutive 9-game winning seasons. But each year, the Rattlers were not able to walk away with a conference title or make a deep run in the playoffs for a shot at the national championship.
The Rattlers are picked to win the Eastern Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this fall.
As for the Noles, much of the attention lately has been on whether the school willcut ties with the Atlantic Coast Conference. The dispute stems from the University wanting a larger cut in profits from the ACC and its media rights deal with ESPN.
In the days leading up to Sunday’s scrimmage, FSU head coach Mike Norvell told reporters wants to remain focused on the team.
“We’ve got a great relationship with the ACC," said Norvell. "You look at our past, the legacy we have within the ACC, it’s one that is respectable. Obviously, we’re working this year and be able to push to be the top.”
According to areport done by USA Today, Florida State athletics brought in over $160 million last year. A large portion of that came from the football teams’ 10-win game season and an end of the year bowl game victory over Oklahoma. The school ranks second in earnings amongst all ACC schools.
The Noles will face off against Louisiana State University in Orlando, while FAMU will get their shot at redemption against the defending SWAC champs, Jackson State University in Miami. Both games will be held Sept 3rd.