FSU football: 3 things to look for in Jacksonville State game

By Kelvin Hunt | Sep 11, 2021

TALLAHASSEE, FL - AUGUST 31: A general view in front of Doak Campbell Stadium before the Florida State Seminoles host the Boise State Broncos for the season homer on August 31, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The game was moved from Jacksonville, Florida because of Hurricane Dorian. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Jordan Travis /

Clean Game

I want to see the Noles play a clean game on both sides of the ball. That means not turning the ball over, fewer penalties, and missed tackles.

The Noles struggled in all three areas against Notre Dame, and all of the areas contributed to their overtime loss. If the Noles remove the turnovers, they likely win the game going away. The same for penalties and missed tackles as the former led to a third-quarter touchdown for the Fighting Irish. Other missed tackles led to continued drives that ultimately led to scores for Notre Dame.

The Noles should have an advantage in every phase of the game, and this game will tell us more about the culture Mike Norvell is trying to instill in Tallahassee.

Turnovers have a luck component, but they were a result of poor decisions last week. Those can be corrected, as can the missed tackles.

I don’t mind penalties as long as they are not focus penalties(false start, off sides, etc). I like to see the Noles have zero turnovers, six penalties or less, and fewer than six missed tackles. I also want to see a passing game that doesn’t look like plays drawn up in the playground.

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