FSU football monitoring Tropical Storm Dorian ahead of Jacksonville opener

Wayne McGahee III
Tallahassee Democrat

Florida State's football team has its eyes turned to Saturday's season-opener against Boise State in Jacksonville.

The FSU administration is looking further south.   

Tropical Storm Dorian could put a damper on the game unless its projected path shifts.

"We are monitoring weather projections for the potential storm, as are the officials in Jacksonville, at Boise State, and at ESPN and the ACC," FSU Director of Athletics David Coburn said in a statement released to the Democrat. 

Waiting for the storm to make a move

"It is too soon to make any decisions, but when they are made, the safety of the student-athletes and the fans attending the game will, as always, be the top priority."

While it's too early to determine the exact impact on Florida, Jacksonville, according to Tuesday's 2 p.m. update, could be in the projected path of Dorian.

More:Hurricane Dorian? Three possible paths with Florida in the cone | WeatherTiger

Tropical storm force winds of 39-plus miles per hour could reach Jacksonville around 8 p.m, though the actual storm isn't projected to reach the coast until Sunday.

The weather could also impact travel plans of fans. The Seminoles have sold around 45,000 tickets to the game. 

The FSU-BSU game is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at TIAA Bank Field. If the storm continues to be projected to impact the area, options could include moving the game to as early as a noon start. 

The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN. South Alabama at Nebraska is the noon game on ESPN Saturday. East Carolina at North Carolina State is the noon game on the ACC Network.

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Past games affected by weather

The Seminoles are no stranger to having games affected by weather.

Last year, Hurricane Michael hit just west of Tallahassee during the bye week. Though it didn't affect any FSU games, it forced FSU to cancel multiple practices as players evacuated. 

Hurricane Irma forced FSU to postpone its September games against Louisiana-Monroe and Miami to later in the season. UL-Monroe was moved from the second game of the 2017 season to the week following the Florida game. The Miami game was moved to Oct. 7.

Hurricane Hermine knocked the power out at FSU in the days prior to the 2016 season-opener in Orlando against Ole Miss. Later that year, Hurricane Matthew just missed causing issues for the FSU-Miami game. 

Hurricane Frances caused the FSU-Miami game in 2004 to be postponed for five days.

Reach Wayne McGahee III at wmcgahee@tallahassee.com.