We’ve heard several iterations from Mike Norvell and the players leading to the 2025 season and beyond. The opponent is faceless; it’s about us, not them. Control what you can control. The sayings go on and on, but they’re true.
The key to FSU taking its first road trip this season and coming back victorious will come down to FSU doing what FSU does. FSU has played with physicality, avoided turnovers, and executed at a high level, committing few penalties.
They have a major talent and coaching advantage. If they don’t beat themselves, they should roll the Virginia Cavaliers. Of course, weird things can happen on the road. Momentum swings, players try to respond by playing hero ball, lack of focus penalties, and not catching punts that become hidden yards that don’t show up in the box score.
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FSU has looked buttoned up through the first three games. They took a punch right to the face from Alabama on their opening drive and didn’t blink, while responding with three haymakers. They took care of business against two inferior opponents, and there was very little drop off when the reserves went into the game.
This team looks like the real deal, and understanding that they are their biggest opponent has resonated thus far. Will that continue with the first road game? It should, since they understand folks probably believe they’ll fall back to earth at some point. Plus, it’s always nice to shut up a crowd that believes they’ll win in the beginning.
This game is no different than the other three. It's all about execution and minimizing the mistakes, while capitalizing on the mistakes UVA makes. If FSU does that, they'll be just fine on Friday night.