Jameis Winston is in the crosshairs yet again. Yesterday, Florida State football and its quarterback got word that he’ll have to attend a disciplinary hearing for his role in the alleged sexual assault allegation from 2012. At the time of this posting, he’s still going to suit up against Syracuse. But could this cause an internal distraction before the game?
From NBC Sports:
“Florida State quarterback¬†Jameis Winston¬†will be required to¬†attend¬†a disciplinary hearing to determine if he violated any code of conduct regulations at the university. Winston was informed of the hearing notice in a letter Friday, and he could be charged with any one of four potential violations of the code of conduct.
An attorney representing Winston’s accuser confirmed the news Friday night to USA Today and ESPN in separate reports. The exact date of the actual hearing is to be determined, but is supposed to be scheduled as quickly as possible.
Winston remains eligible … Winston was suspended for one game earlier this season for a separate incident, and at this time there is no word on any additional suspension while this hearing process plays out. He is expected to play this weekend, as of the time of this posting.”
As long as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner plays, it’s hard to imagine the Orange pulling the upset. Even when Winston was suspended, the Noles defeated Clemson in OT in Tallahassee. FSU is clearly a different team without Winston, but no one is reporting that Jimbo Fisher will hold him out of this game despite the letter.
It wasn’t the only haymaker the Noles took Friday. Fox Sports also reported that Tallahassee police impeded the sexual assault investigation, citing thousands of pages of documents obtained through public records requests. Will it throw FSU off its game Saturday?
Syracuse could use a little good luck. This has been a rough week for Syracuse football. A wounded Syracuse squad takes on #1 Florida State today, and no one knows what to expect. Terrel Hunt is sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a broken fibula, and Tim Lester has taken over as offensive coordinator. The program has lots of uncertainty right now and two tough opponents in the next three weeks: FSU today and Clemson on Oct. 25.
The offense is accustomed to McDonald‚Äôs play calling. Now it has to learn Lester‚Äôs style. Right now team chemistry is being scrutinized after McDonald’s emotional words.¬†Austin Wilson and A.J. Long will¬†likely be getting the snaps in Hunt‚Äôs absence, but neither has much collegiate experience.
The good news for Syracuse is that¬†FSU is¬†the only ranked team on the schedule at this point. ¬†But¬†it almost feels like the program is going through another rebuilding process mid-season. It’s still early, but the Orange bowl hopes are getting dimmer.¬†If SU loses to FSU and Clemson, but beats Wake Forest, the Orange is¬†only 3-5 heading into the final four games.
Syracuse would then have to find three wins with home games against NC State and Duke, plus trips to BC and Pitt. Not impossible, but the margin for error is closing with every loss. You can’t blame¬†Orange Nation for starting to look toward basketball season.
Posted:  Austin Pollack
