FSU football: 5 MAJOR keys to victory for Noles against SMU Mustangs

Avoid Turnovers

The turnover battle has been a key in nearly every game. FSU didn't turn the ball over against Boston College and lost by a 50+ field goal as time expired. They were -1 in the turnover battle against Boston College (and a bad fourth down decision was basically a turnover) that cost. FSU was -2 in the turnover battle against Memphis and lost that game 20-12.

FSU's offense hasn't been near what we thought it would be in the preseason and doesn't seem capable of overcoming giving away possessions. The giveaways don't help the FSU defense when they have to work with a short field against opposing offenses. It also makes them play more snaps than needed, which isn't helpful as the game progresses.

The FSU offense has underperformed so poorly that the margins for error are nearly zero. That can't turn the ball over or at least need to be even in the turnover margin to have a shot to win on Saturday night.