FSU football: How better quarterback play can change everything for the Noles

Confidence

Football teams are often led by their quarterbacks. Sure, players on defense can be leaders, and we saw that with Jared Verse, Kalen DeLoach, Lamarcus Joyner, Jalen Ramsey, and DeMarcus Walker from past teams. Ultimately, a team's confidence begins and ends with the quarterback. DJ Uiagalelei didn't play terrible in the first game, but he didn't make some necessary throws for a guy who's been in college as long as he has. The regression increased in game two, and I believe it's from a lack of confidence. Teammates can sense when their quarterback isn't confident.

The receivers lose trust he'll get the ball to them when they're open. The defense begins to press and try to play hero ball to make a play because they don't believe the offense will score when they get the ball. As a result, we've seen DJ Uiagalelei hit guys on the numbers, and the ball gets dropped. We've seen him miss wide-open receivers, leading to a loss in confidence. It's human nature to result in selfishness when things aren't going your way. It's not a talent issue at FSU, but simply players not trusting one another to do their jobs. If the quarterback isn't doing their job, that'll likely lead to everyone else not doing theirs.