Despite Peach Bowl Loss, FSU's Young Stars Build Momentum for 2016 Season

On the first day of 2015, the Florida State Seminoles found themselves on the wrong end of a double-digit deficit in one of college football's biggest bowl games.

On the final day of 2015, FSU was in a similar spot, down by 18 points heading into the third quarter.

A lot can change in the course of 364 days, and Florida State is living proof of that. Jimbo Fisher's team went from an undefeated ACC champion playing in a College Football Playoff semifinal on January 1 to a 10-2 at-large squad in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on December 31.

While Florida State took a step backward during this calendar year, the way the Seminoles finished Thursday's 38-24 loss at the hands of Group of Five power Houston should give them plenty of momentum for a comeback 2016.

Instead of folding in the second half like it did against Oregon at the Rose Bowl, Florida State rallied, thanks to the play of several of its young stars.

Things went sideways for the Florida State offense early. Starting quarterback Sean Maguire went down with a scary-looking lower leg injury late in the first quarter. With former starter Everett Golson unavailable for his final game due to personal reasons, the Seminoles had to turn to inexperienced freshman J.J. Cosentino.

To make matters worse, star running back Dalvin Cook had hardly any running room against a fierce Houston defensive front, which entered Thursday ranked 12th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game.

When Maguire returned to the game with an absurd amount of ankle tape, he was wildly inconsistent. He underthrew receivers off his bad leg and made several questionable decisions in the pocket.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

But things never got too far out of hand for Florida State—because of its defense.

While the Cougars put up 448 yards and scored 38 points on the Seminoles, those numbers don't tell the whole story.

Houston averaged 6.32 yards per play in the regular season and was held to less than five in only two games. Because of Florida State's offensive issues—the Seminoles went three-and-out six times and turned the ball over on the second play of the drive three times—Houston's warp-speed offense took 99 snaps.

Florida State held Houston to 4.53 yards per play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Half of the Cougars' scoring drives went for less than 50 yards, thanks to turnovers and a bad decision on a fourth-quarter kickoff.

The FSU defense wasn't without its errors Thursday. The Seminoles overpursued on several big Houston plays and had a couple of major breakdowns. But without that level of defensive effort, Florida State could have been in another New Year's blowout.

This season's FSU team didn't pack it in late, especially those young Seminoles who have blossomed into big-time players this fall.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

True freshman safety Derwin James led Florida State in tackles and tackles for loss. His strong fourth-down stop of elusive Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. prevented a third-quarter scoring opportunity for the Cougars.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl marked another sensational performance for the young do-it-all safety, who will continue to wreak havoc out of Florida State's secondary for at least two more seasons.

There were other defensive stars in Thursday's contest, including true freshman "Buck" Josh Sweat. He and James were the only Seminoles to sack Ward Jr.

Sweat also provided the pressure on a first-quarter interception by junior defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who was second on the team in tackles.

Walker is eligible for the 2016 NFL draft, but there's a chance he could return to Tallahassee for what could be a huge senior season on the Seminoles' defense. 

"There is always room for improvement," Walker said, per Bob Ferrante of 247Sports. "I feel like there are some things that we need to get better as a team. The talent is good."

Florida State will lose seniors Reggie Northrup, Lamarcus Brutus and Terrance Smith from this year's defense. But as Bud Elliott of Tomahawk Nation noted, there' is a lot of talent returning in 2016 if a couple of Seminoles decide to stay in school:

While FSU's offensive day was marked by Maguire's four interceptions and Cook's 33-yard performance, there were still some causes for optimism among the Seminole faithful.

Sophomore wide receiver Travis Rudolph had 201 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown that made it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter. Junior wide receiver Bobo Wilson had eight grabs and a touchdown, which was a beauty.

Now as Florida State prepares for the new year, it will be able to rely on its entire first-string offense back in Tallahassee.

Another offseason of preparation for what was one of college football's most inexperienced offensive lines will be huge for Cook, who has serious Heisman potential as a big-play running back.

A healthy Maguire should be in line for a strong year behind that front five—especially with the talent returning at receiver.

The year 2015 started and ended on sour notes for Florida State.

But the perseverance and the promise the Seminoles showed in the Georgia Dome on Thursday afternoon should give them plenty of hope that 2016 will be much different.

Game statistics courtesy of StatBroadcast. Unless otherwise noted, other statistics courtesy of CFBstats.com.

Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.