FSU OFFENSE
Florida State football disappointed on Saturday, as they fell to the arch-rival Miami Hurricanes by a score of 28-22. This is not a great sight for Seminole fans, since the Hurricane fan base is the world's worst about talking trash. They might have still done it even if they lost the game.
However, there has to be a tip of the hat to head football coach Mario Cristobal, as he executed his game plan. He knew that the Seminoles wanted to stop their running game by loading the box, so they counteracted by running quick screens and play-action passes.
Florida State's offense was a main culprit in this loss, though. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos didn't have his best performance, as he looked out of sorts for much of the game. It was not the intensity that he showed against Alabama.
UNDERRATED FACTOR
Castellanos didn't have the game that he wanted, but the offense as a whole didn't perform up to its standards. They began the contest with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended in a field goal. Once that drive ended, the Seminoles stalled out.
Fans want to blame Castellanos, and it certainly wasn't his best, as he completed 25 of his 45 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also added 16 carries for 57 yards on the ground.
Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn prides himself on the inside run scheme, which is what individuals thought Castellanos would be a perfect fit since he is a dual-threat option and his familiarity with it at UCF.
It is fine to be able to establish the running game, but the offense needs to stay ahead of the chains to extend drives. They cannot be in a second or third down and long situation where the opposing defense that teeing off on the quarterback. That is exactly what Miami did on Saturday, and what the Seminoles cannot let Pittsburgh do in the next matchup.