Most disagreed with my statement on social media regarding that most of the blame should have gone to the offense for that loss against UVA. Here’s more context on that statement, instead of looking at the box score and seeing FSU scored 35 points in regulation.
Anyone who watched the first three games knew the FSU defense had holes. We said the Alabama offense left plays on the field, and it was one reason the expectation was that UVA would score 20+ points against FSU. However, we also knew UVA’s defense was Swiss cheese, and the FSU offense should have its way.
The FSU defense forced punts on Virginia’s first two possessions, and the FSU offense failed to set the tone when it had the opportunity on the road. The offense punted and turned the ball over on its next two possessions, resulting in 14 points for the UVA offense.
That got the UVA crowd engaged, and it was an uphill battle after that. IF FSU scores on it's first two possessions (like they did against Alabama), it's probably a different ball game. The game is tied 21-21 at halftime, and FSU gets the ball first to set the tone to start the second half, but settles for a field goal and misses.
That gets the crowd engaged again. Yes, the defense allowed two long touchdown drives in the second half, and the offense answered to manage to send the game into overtime.
However, the offense got the ball first in overtime and settled for a field goal, once again failing to set the tone against a bad defense.
I’m not excusing the defense’s performance by any means, but UVA has a better offense than defense. That was known going into the game, and the FSU offense failed to capitalize against a bad defense when it had its opportunities. FSU only punted once in the entire game and only managed 35 points in regulation, with the final seven coming on a play that probably doesn’t get converted more times than not. They had to resort to trick plays to get the ball into the end zone at times.
I’m sorry, but the biggest team strength failed to set the tone in three important parts of the game against a bad defense, with emphasis on the latter part.