The 2024 season for FSU football is over. They can't win the ACC or make the 12-team College Football Playoff. The odds of making a bowl game are slim to none. Yet, there's still something to salvage from the remaining seven games.
FSU football fans have accepted this fate, similar to the 2021 season, after starting the season 0-4. At that point, it was about the small improvements, a glimmer of hope for the future, and watching young guys grow and develop. It's crazy to say we're back to that position after going 13-0 last season.
FSU football fans want to see major changes on and off the field. The latter can't happen until after the season ends. However, the changes on the field need to happen ASAP.
This team isn't player-led. Usually, the quarterback is the leader, but DJ Uiagalelei isn't playing well enough for players to respect his words. He's also gone after this year, so there's no future to build on. If players don't believe in and respect the quarterback, they don't want to block for him. They don't want to make plays for him.
The defense will eventually fold up shop because they know whatever they do, it won't be enough because the offense can't score. There are some things Mike Norvell can do salvage things for 2025. Let's talk about it.
Start DJ Uiagalelei Against Clemson
I know fans don't want to see DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback again. However, they have no shot to beat Clemson this week, and it'll be the best defense FSU has faced all season. That would not be a smart move to throw Brock Glenn in as a starter with a bye-week coming after this game.
I'd give Uiagalelei a chance to face his former team, and maybe you can catch lightning in a bottle with him motivated to beat them. I doubt it, but Uiagalelei wasn't terrible in the first half against SMU. At the very least, you're preventing Brock Glenn from facing an elite defense, possibly getting hurt, and lowering his confidence.
I'd go to Uiagalelei and the Wild Cat with Lawrance Toafili or Kameron Davis. That keeps the clock moving and gives Clemson something they likely haven't prepared much for since Mike Norvell hasn't used it this year.
Make Brock Glenn The Starting QB AFTER Clemson game
As mentioned, Brock Glenn would likely take a beating behind that offensive line trying to block Clemson's defensive front. There's no sense in throwing him out there in a game they can't win. Here's why it's better to wait until the Clemson game.
FSU has a bye-week after the Clemson game before traveling to play Duke. That would be the perfect time to start giving Brock Glenn starter reps. It gives him nearly two weeks to prepare for a Duke team that's not very good although they're unbeaten. It's a game FSU can win if they get any semblance of solid quarterback play because Duke's offense isn't great. Their defense isn't anything special. If FSU gets that win, they'll take on Miami on the road the following week. That's another game they'll be underdogs, but Miami's defense isn't elite and Glenn faced better defenses in Louisville and Georgia last year.
After Miami, FSU has a game against a bad North Carolina team that's winnable. He'll have another opportunity to win against Charleston Southern and possibly Florida.
What Mike Norvell will be trying to do is build Brock Glenn as the guy for 2025 in these games. If Brock Glenn shows promise and begin to score points with this offense? You'll likely start to see better buy-in from the offense/defense and the young guys on the team.
Start Playing Other Younger Guys NOW
Kyle Morlock shouldn't see the field again at tight end unless it's on special teams. Landen Thomas and Amaree Williams should get all of those reps.
Fentrell Cypress needs to see fewer reps because he refuses to get off blocks in the run game and gives up too much in the passing game. I'd put young guys like Charles Lester, Ricky Knight, and others.
I'd like to see more KJ Kirkland at safety instead of Conrad Hussey. The latter got fast-tracked last year and continues to make the same mistakes he did as a freshman. I'd like to see more of Ashlynd Barker too.
I'd like to see more of Hykeem Williams, Jalen Brown, Elijah Moore, and other young guys.
By playing these young players, it allows them to gain some valuable experience. It'll give them seven games, which should be enough to appease guys who may consider entering the transfer portal because they're not getting an opportunity while sitting behind upperclassmen who's not producing.
Granted, those young guys must continue to work in practice and EARN the opportunity. If they want it given to them, they can hit the portal for all I care.
Parting Thoughts
Mike Norvell has to know he needs to make major changes to his coaching staff. He should already be evaluating potential hires. I don't think he's it, but it would be an opportunity to vet Ernie Sims as a potential linebacker coach.
I'd make sweeping changes to the coaching staff. The staff needs to get much younger with the hunger to do the day-to-day grind in today's college game.
The rest of the 2024 season is about building for 2025 and beyond. FSU can't allow this season to multiply into multiple seasons of poor play and mediocrity. If these young guys have any fire to them, hopefully, that'll ignite some young leaders to emerge and get this team back to being led by the players.
If Brock Glenn can't show any progression as the rest of the season unfolds, then Mike Norvell has a decision to make. It took Jordan Travis about 18 games before things seemed to become second nature. However, wasn't always getting starter reps and was an athlete playing quarterback early on.
Let's get through this next week and then see what FSU can manage in the final six games to salvage the season. At the very least, we'll learn if the young guys are the future or not.