FLORIDA STATE HAS RUN OUT OF EXCUSES
The 2023 season and 13-1 record seems like it was a decade ago. It also seems like a perfect storm. The leadership of players like Jordan Travis and the skill of players like Jared Verse created a championship-level team. The reliance on the portal comes with variance, and while there may be standouts, it’s hardly a “team.” What is supposed to be a supplement has become a necessity. Sadly, they never got to see their season through as they were left out of the College Football Playoff. Taking out that season, record at FSU is 23-29. There was a time FSU was the standard in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and they are now reduced to a laughing stock.
The ACC struggled in the BCS era to earn respect. Today is not much better. FSU’s last conference win was a 14-9 win over Cal last September. Ironically, FSU lost a home game to Memphis as well. They scored a combined 26 points in those games. Last season, as I left Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas after a 42-16 loss, I felt as if I had watched Akron or Kent State against a juggernaut. Last season’s ACC losses came by an average margin of victory of 16 points. Besides the Memphis loss, losing by a combined 69 points to Florida and Notre Dame is unacceptable. The Noles have gone from peer to formality. There is no foundation. When adversity comes, the blank stares and body language tell us this is something that will not change.
THE FINAL SPEAR
is a chance to build confidence. Though Stanford went 3-9 last season, Ashton Daniels and Elic Ayomanor (the Travis Hunter Killer) have gone off to greener pastures. They are averaging 19 points this year and lost to Hawaii. Their wins came against San Jose State by a point and Boston College. Time to see that Seminole Pride, and for the linebackers to look competent. Tony White needs to scale it back some early, as I expect the offense to come out humming. According to gostanford.com, the Cardinals have been outgained by 509 yards, and have been sacked 20 times, and are just under 34% on third down. Ben Gulbranson has a habit of throwing the ball off target and into danger. Just playing at B-level should net Florida State a 38-14 win. But…
Florida State is 7-19 after a loss under Coach Norvell. The good news is that each loss has been by one possession. We can argue about Miami and the game not being as close as the final score, but the Noles can only look forward. A loss here, or even a sleepy effort (10:30 ET Kickoff) will wake Tallahassee up. The fanbase has been way too patient to be frank. No more Trust the Process, no more we believe. It is time for Florida State to look around the nation for its next leader. At some point, the standard has to matter, again.
For more College Football Analysis Michael can be found on the Sports Reports as Ordered Podcast on social media and DSPs.