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

Convert Offensive Third Downs

The FSU offense's inability to sustain drives have been their Achilles heel through the first four games.

They convert third downs at a 30.91 percent clip (No. 116 nationally). They have had 55 third downs, and 33 were 7+ yards. It's not realistic to convert third downs of that distance consistently.

However, FSU had its best performance on third downs against a much better defense in the California Bears last week. FSU converted 5 of 10 in the first half and finished the game 7 of 17 (41.1 percent).

FSU only scored 14 points but had a turnover in the red zone and was nearly in field goal range a couple of other times. FSU was in third and short on two drives in the second half and failed to convert.

FSU will need to be at 40 percent or better to have a shot to win over Saturday night.