FSU football: ‘Noles defense has improved, but is it enough?

Four Game Stretch

A defense should show improvement as the season advances unless there is terrible injury luck to several starters. The FSU defense has shown improvement as the season progressed and faced three of the better quarterbacks in the ACC through the first six games.

However, three of the next four games will feature offenses capable of putting up impressive numbers. We could see the rankings presented earlier fall back closer to average or slightly below average.

If they remain fairly close to where they are now, I’d consider that a successful stretch for Adam Fuller. If they surrender lots of points (without the offense turning it over and defending short fields), is it simply a case of needing better players or a new defensive coordinator?

If you go with the latter, exactly who can you afford, and who’s going to work for Mike Norvell after firing Fuller within two years(or one full year while showing improvement)? Are getting better players and another year of continuity worth a third year?

FSU will likely lose three of their best defensive linemen, which have been the strength of the defense in 2021. If FSU hires another defensive coordinator, we could find ourselves whining and complaining about the same things we did in 2020 when the defensive line was suspect. Maybe a new hire could bring some difference-making talent with them?

Either way, an infusion of talent is needed big time, but Mike Norvell must decide what he values most. Will he trust Adam Fuller after the next four games unfold? Only time will tell.