3 things are now very obvious after the Florida State Seminoles lost their first game of the season to Virginia
The Seminoles need to fix some things, but Virginia is pretty good.
As heartbreaking a loss as it is for Florida State Seminoles fans waking up on Saturday, three things can be learned from the game against the Virginia Cavaliers.
FSU lost its first game of the season, which also happened to be its first ACC game. However, there is some good and some bad to take away. This is not the end of the world; did you really think this team was going to go undefeated? No, but Mike Norvell certainly has improved this team, with work still to do.
Three takeaways from the Seminoles’ loss to the Cavaliers
1. Florida State has to fix its run defense, and there isn’t much it can do.
The pass rush wasn’t really there against Virginia. It had its moments, but considering the type of team they were playing, it just wasn’t good enough. The good thing is that they can find new ways to put pressure on the QB. Now the run defense, that was putrid, as the Cavaliers just scored yet another rushing TD Saturday morning while I’m writing this.
The only issue with that part of the defense is that it really can’t be fixed. The Seminoles don’t have a single defensive lineman over 300 pounds on their two-deep roster, and that’s an issue, and could be even worse against the Miami Hurricanes. They have to figure something out.
2. The self-inflicted wounds just can’t happen
On defense, there were far too many, most of which ended up leading to scores, like the bad jump offsides on the goal line at the end of the game, and so many other things, like turnovers, whether it was throwing the ball or fumbling it.
Outside of the run defense, this team beat itself, not the other way around. And, those self-inflicted wounds allowed the Cavaliers to get ahead early, up 14-0, with the Noles having an uphill battle for most of the game. They have to be better disciplined.
3. Tommy Castellanos is pretty good, Virginia is pretty good
Castellanos had several “Heisman Moments,” if you will, against Virginia. Of course, there is the drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter, and then the pass to Randy Pittman in the end zone, putting it where only the receiver can get it, on fourth down, throwing across his body. And, we have to mention what would have been a huge touchdown in OT to Duce Robinson. It was a laser, a perfect pass, and one that was so good Robinson wasn’t even expecting it, and bobbled it.
As for Virginia, this team is so much better than people may think. QB Chandler Morris, with a hurt throwing hand, made play after play with his arm and his legs. That rushing game is pretty good, and offensively, they are a team that will make some noise in the conference.
College Football
Florida State Seminoles HC Mike Norvell isn’t sugarcoating anything when it comes to the new direction of his team
Mike Norvell and the Seminoles just could not get the job done vs. Virginia.
