Thoughts From the Morning After: FSU 31 Notre Dame 27

Oct 18, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Karlos Williams (9) scores a touchdown past the defense of Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive line play

Once again on Saturday the Florida State rushing attack was a non-factor early, and was only marginally effective in crunch time.

Granted, Karlos Williams showed a lot of poise and toughness down near the goal-line. Williams only had 25 yards on 8 carries, but his two touchdowns were crucial and he fought hard for them.

The problem is that behind Florida State’s offensive line — a unit that was supposedly a strength at the start of the season — it shouldn’t be that hard to plow into the end zone. This was supposed to be one of the best lines in football. Granted, the team’s starting center is out, but there are still four senior offensive linemen that have played together for their entire careers starting on that unit.

It hasn’t mattered so far this season.

On Saturday the Irish continued to expose a problem that has persisted since Austin Barron was lining up at center– the middle of the FSU line is a weakness.

Ryan Hoefeld — making just his second career start — struggled a lot against the Notre Dame pass rush. Before Hoefeld, Barron was having the same problems. If you send enough of a rush right up the middle of the Florida State line this season, you can get right through.

That makes running between the tackles nearly impossible and it means Jameis Winston has pressure in his face way too often on passing downs.

It may be time to finally move Cam Erving inside. Unfortunately, Bobby Hart has struggled at right tackle this season — and he’s likely the number one option to move over and replace Erving at left tackle should he move inside — so that could complicate the decision.

Even if it’s not Hart though — if it’s Wilson Bell or Roderick Johnson — it might finally be worth it to get a new body in there and slide Erving inside to shore up the middle. FSU just can’t continue to let its line struggle down the stretch this season. There’s too much talent up front and in the backfield for FSU not to be able to run or protect the passer.

This bye week would be a perfect time to fix that.