I promise writing about this FSU football team in the last four years has aged me significantly. I want to see wins just like every other rational person that follows the program.
I know it’s easy to get wrapped up in emotions during and after games, especially losses, but I think we need to take a step back and look at the big picture of things. I can point to exactly where the problems lie with this 2021 FSU football team.
If they had a good quarterback, I have no doubt they would be 3-1 at worst, and that’s with all of the limitations of the offensive line and lack of playmakers at wide receiver.
The problem is they don’t have a good quarterback on the roster, or at least not one that’s ready to contribute. The offensive line has been dealing with injuries since the Notre Dame game.
I wrote how the coaching staff would have to recruit their way out of this abyss, and I believe that now more than ever after watching the last two games.
As we began the season, most of us expected 5-7 wins, but most importantly, we wanted to see improvement on the field. I know it’s crazy to suggest it with an 0-4 record, but there has been an improvement. Here are three reasons why that is the case.
Responding To Adversity
One of the things that drove me crazy the past few years would be how FSU football would lay down when something bad happened.
All it took was one play, and the players seemed to hit a switch to turn off all effort or care about the game.
That hasn’t been the case through four games in 2021. The Noles have experienced some devastating adversity in this short season. The opening game loss against Notre Dame in overtime after overcoming an 18-point deficit.
A loss to an FCS team(and that loss is squarely on Mike Norvell and the coaching staff). A road loss against Wake Forest where they turned the ball over six times. A 31-7 first-half deficit against Louisville.
There hasn’t been a point through four games where I thought this team quit or didn’t care about winning the game. Sure, some guys may have loafed on some plays, but that’s going to happen on any team.
I know the effort is the bare minimum. However, the fact those things are not the norm in 2021 despite all of the adversity should speak volumes.
The team culture was me first the past few years, and it would be easy for that to take place given their circumstances this year. I have to give credit to the coaches and players that it hasn’t been near as bad through four games.
Roster Needs and Evaluations
One of the failures of the former regime was roster management. Several needs went unmet, and that’s creating issues for the current staff. The lack of playmakers at wide receiver(no skill players signed in 2019) and the failure to sign talent at the defensive end were two holes on the roster that needed filling.
Mike Norvell has identified those needs and went the transfer portal route, and there’s no coincidence most of the production on the roster has come from those transfers. Jermaine Johnson is the best defensive player, and Jashaun Corbin is the best offensive player.
Andrew Parchment hasn’t been the difference-maker needed at wide receiver but does lead the team with two touchdowns and tied for the team lead with nine receptions.
Jammie Robinson is fourth on the team in tackles while playing in three-and-a-half games. McKenzie Milton hasn’t been great, but could you imagine what would have been if they had not signed him with Jordan Travis’s injury history?
Kier Thomas has been a solid addition as well. My point is, Mike Norvell understands what this team needs to be successful.
He understands there’s a need for an infusion of talent at several positions and has placed FSU in a good position to meet most of those needs in the 2022 recruiting class. That gives me hope he’ll be able to turn this thing around in the next couple of years.
Competitive Games
Do FSU football fans remember the Notre Dame game in 2020? What about the Louisville game from the same year?
Notre Dame ran up and down the field like it was Bo Jackson and Tecmo Bowl last year, and the Noles took them to overtime in the season opener.
Louisville could have scored 100 points last year, but the Noles held them scoreless in the second half and had a chance to tie the game on their final possession. on Saturday. Yes, the Jacksonville State loss is inexcusable, but again that one is on the coaches.
The Noles turned it over six times against Wake Forest, and no team is beating anyone with that amount of turnovers. My point is, the Noles are competing, and I understand that’s not enough at FSU, but it’s a stark contrast to the last couple of years.
Mike Norvell has to win games at some point, but it’s not like they are getting demolished in every game. They are competitive despite the limitations at key positions and self-inflicted wounds with a lack of execution.
Final Thoughts
I could write a novel on why FSU is in its current position. I’ve covered a great deal of it. It didn’t get in this position overnight, and the same goes with fixing the issues.
One thing Jimbo Fisher was correct about was understanding and believing in the process. I know it’s a resulted-oriented business, but now is the time to focus on the process. That process involves addressing issues of need with talent(QB, offensive line, wide receivers, defensive line, etc).
The staff must continue to develop the players on the roster. As I said, an improvement at quarterback, and this team is 3-1 at worst. I firmly believe this defense would play better if the offense could offer them something consistently.
They got eight consecutive stops in the second half against Louisville, and the offense could only muster THREE points from those possessions.
That defensive sparked stemmed from the offense scoring on their first possession of the second half.
The team must find ways to feed off one another because that’s what good teams do. We saw flashes of it in the second half of the Notre Dame game. The good news is we’ve seen some sparks here and there, and at some point, those sparks will hopefully turn into a full-fledged fire.