FSU football: Noles most underrated team in the ACC in 2020?

FSU football has underachieved compared to its level of talent in the past few years. Are the Noles poised to be a sleeper team in 2020?

A lot of eyes are on the FSU football program with Mike Norvell less than two weeks away from coaching his first game in Tallahassee.

The Noles have gone 18-20 since the 2017 season despite being one of the most talented teams in the country.

A combination of poor injury luck, lack of organization, and poor coaching decisions have been the main culprits.

Mike Norvell is known for his organizational skills and brought in one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in Josh Storms, who has already paid dividends in a shortened offseason.

We’ve yet to see Norvell coach in a game, but he had to be competent to take Memphis to the Cotton Bowl last season before departing for FSU. It’s likely why CBS Sports has listed FSU football as the most underrated team in the ACC for 2020:

Thoughts

Patterson points out things we’ve been saying for the longest regarding James Blackman. I suppose I’m going to have to die on the hill that much of Blackman’s issues have been lack of coaching the past two years.

He regressed from what we saw near the end of 2017 compared to the last two years with Willie Taggart. The good news is, Norvell is known as one of the best offensive minds in the game, which should help elevate Blackman’s game, as long as the offensive line doesn’t whiff on their blocks.

The defense is too talented to not be a top 20 defense, and the fact they will receive competent coaching this year will make that unit the strength of the team.

Mike Norvell has added more emphasis on special teams too, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Noles win 6-7 games if they have good injury luck.