FSU football: HC Mike Norvell provides update about OC Alex Atkins' suspension

Florida State football will be taking on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Dublin, Ireland for their season opener on Saturday, August 24th at noon EST.

However, one pivotal assistant coach on the Seminoles' staff will not be able to coach during the contest in offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins. The NCAA decided to suspend Atkins for the first three games of the 2024 season due to recruiting violations.

Atkins will be able to practice with the team but will not be able to participate in coaching the actual games. Head football coach Mike Norvell addressed the situation during Sunday's media session where he stated that they have a plan in place with him not being available on game day.

Offensive senior analyst Gabe Fertitta will take over in the gameday operations. Atkins has instilled a ton of confidence in the support staffer's ability to be a quality member of the staff. Norvell has also shown that same level of confidence in Fertitta.

According to his Seminoles.com biography, the senior analyst spent the 2021 season at Louisville as a quality control assistant following an incredibly successful run as head coach at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Fans have to realize that the Seminoles have a veteran offensive line filled with experienced pieces such as Darius Washington, Maurice Smith, Jeremiah Byers, Robert Scott Jr., Keiondre Jones, Richie Leonard IV, Jacob Rizy, and Bryson Estes.

The offensive line should be able to hold their own against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The name of the game for the Seminoles versus Georgia Tech will likely be running the football effectively as the Yellow Jackets' defense allowed 221.3 rushing yards per game (128th in the FBS).

There should not be too many complicated blocking schemes for the offensive line and they should have success in the three-game stretch of Georgia Tech, Boston College (please don't let it be like last year), and Memphis. As for the offensive coordinator duties, Norvell will likely take the reins completely since it is his offensive scheme that they base it around anyway.