With the bye week now behind them, Florida State will launch straight into full preparation for the Week 9 clash against the Clemson Tigers. The Seminoles fought hard in Week 7 against Miami, taking them into double overtime, but ultimately, there was not quite enough done to secure what would have been a monster upset.
The Seminoles have no time to live in the past, with just five games remaining before the end of the regular season. Florida State needs to pull off an improbable winning streak to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since the 2023 season.
Injuries to running backs Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr. have dismantled the Seminoles' backfield, but there might be a different way to ignite the offense moving forward. Senior wide receiver Duce Robinson has been relatively quiet this season, and Florida State needs that to change with much of the bite of the rushing attack out of the equation.
The Florida State offense may need Duce Robinson now more than ever
Robinson joined the team ahead of the 2025 season after two somewhat productive seasons with the USC Trojans. Last season with Florida State, Robinson was a massive part of the offense and rightfully so with his 6-foot-6 frame. However, the receiver has not been able to take a serious step forward this season after posting 1081 yards and six touchdowns a year ago.
There have been flashes this season for Robinson, particularly against Miami and Alabama, but it has been feast or famine for the receiver. Robinson recorded 11 receptions, 248 yards, and three touchdowns in those two games, and he has recorded 11 receptions, 159 yards, and one touchdown in the other five.
Florida State needs to be able to attack teams through the air moving forward with just three healthy running backs, including two who have barely seen the collegiate field. The Seminoles cannot just rely on the ground game without the players who made their rushing attack special, which means someone in the receiving room needs to pick up the offense.
Robinson is the most obvious candidate after a successful season last year with Florida State, and two massive performances this season that kept the team competitive. The track record is there, and the receiver has been successful this season when he is consistently being targeted. Robinson averages 18.5 yards per reception this season, and when Daniels is able to connect with his receivers, it is often for a good chunk of yards.
A more consistent Robinson would be huge for Florida State moving forward, but the team also needs to find a way to continue to get Jayvan Boggs involved. Boggs is also averaging 18.5 yards per reception, but the Seminoles have rarely had both receivers heat up during the same game.
Additionally, Florida State will still have a running attack with Daniels, Tre Wisner, and Amari Thomas; it just likely won't be as dangerous as it was with Kromah healthy. Daniels can carry the rock himself a good chunk of the time, but Florida State cannot afford any other serious injuries, and putting more of an emphasis on Daniels' rushing could be dangerous.
To play things on the safe side, it makes more sense for Florida State to try and work more passing volume into the game plans moving forward to avoid putting Daniels in the line of fire. Robinson is the type of player who is supposed to take pressure off quarterbacks since seemingly every pass is within his range.
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