Thoughts From the Morning After: FSU 34 Virginia 20

1 of 6

Nov 8, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) celebrates after a play against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Each Sunday morning after a Florida State game, ChopChat editor Patrik Nohe gives his thoughts from the morning after.

After Florida State’s 34-20 win over Virginia on Saturday night, Jameis Winston didn’t mince words about the interceptions he threw on back-to-back possessions in the first quarter.

“I’m hurting this team, I really am,” said FSU’s redshirt sophomore quarterback. “The defense kept us in this ballgame. I mean, they played a great game. Honestly, if I don’t throw picks, they probably don’t score. If I don’t give them good field position, they don’t score.”

More from Chop Chat

Winston’s discounting the fact that Dalvin Cook’s fumble — occurring on the play which he was injured — set Virginia up at FSU’s 23 yard-line. But his larger point is valid: if Florida State hadn’t turned the ball over and set Virginia up with great field position Virginia may not have scored at all.

Excluding those three possessions Florida State’s defense gave up just 136 yards. The Cavaliers were limited to just 37 yards on 32 carries, just 1.2 yards per attempt. FSU also had four sacks and nine tackles for loss. The defense got those turnovers back too, forcing three of their own — which turned into 21 points — while narrowly missing on a couple of others.

All in all, it was actually a very good performance from a unit which has struggled at points this year.

It’s easy to get hung up on lapses in the secondary which allowed Virginia QB Greyson Lambert to throw for three TD’s. And FSU’s struggles on third down continued as well. But on the flip-side of the coin there was also plenty to build on.

Mario Edwards looked dominant, turning in his best performance of the season. The defensive interior — bolstered by a healthy LB corps — was stout against the run. The blitz packages were the most effective they have been all season. And Jalen Ramsey has really come on at the Star position.

Right now the glass seems to be perpetually half-empty with this team. The majority of people — fans and media alike — seem more focused on what FSU hasn’t done and what it isn’t than on what the Seminoles are and what they’re doing well. I am guilty of this myself. Parts of my rapid reaction last night — a piece which relies on snap judgments — were unduly critical of the defense.

There were a few valid points, but I was remiss to make those negatives seem like the biggest takeaway.

Taking another look, FSU’s defense played a very good game last night. Yes, you’d like to clean up a few issues on the back end. But Virginia wasn’t going to be able to drive the ball the length of the field against Florida State yesterday evening– were it not for turnovers the Cavs likely wouldn’t have scored.

The only difference between the feeling from last night and coming away saying it was a dominant performance was actually the offense– and those turnovers.

“I think they understand each other, they’re getting the calls, the rhythm of the game and they’ve been having a good continuity,” said Jimbo Fisher when asked about his defense last night. “They’re just growing.”

Don’t get too down on this D.

Click the arrows atop the screen, tap the “left” and “right” keys on your keyboard, or swipe back and forth on your smartphone to view each slide.

Next: About Those Turnovers

Home/FSU Football