FSU football: Noles embarrassed on the road against Wake Forest

FSU football went on the road and got embarrassed against Wake Forest Saturday afternoon in a 35-14 loss. It was a game Mike Norvell, and the coaching staff had weeks to prepare, but the team looked the exact opposite.

The ‘Noles defense forced a turnover on Wake Forest’s opening possession, and the FSU offense gave the ball right back. It was the same old same old for FSU. A combination of dumb penalties and turnovers doomed the Noles from the onset, and the offensive playcalling was awful most of the day.

The latter was the most concerning part because it seemed as though the coaching staff had no real game plan. McKenzie Milton started the game, and Jordan Travis came in on the second possession after Jashaun Corbin fumbled.

I wrote Mike Norvell needed to stick with ONE quarterback earlier in the week, but the staff seems content with doing the opposite. However, an injury to Jordan Travis forced Milton back in the game after Travis provided somewhat of a spark in the second quarter.

FSU committed SIX turnovers( one was on a Hail Mary before halftime) and had seven penalties for 65 yards, and at least three of those penalties were on third down after FSU had gotten a stop to force a punt.

Wake Forest made the plays other times, and their wide receivers bullied the FSU secondary with ease. The first quarter told the story of the game as Wake Forest had two turnovers but had a two-touchdown lead as the FSU offense couldn’t get anything going.

The FSU defense was on the field for 52 plays in the first half, compared to 26 for FSU. It’s going to be a long season for FSU football fans, and I’m not sure Mike Norvell can turn this thing around, especially if he can’t keep the 2022 recruiting class together through this season.