Can ‘Outstanding Practices’ Turn into Victory for Seminoles?

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

What Florida
State football has done over the past two and a half seasons is spoil the idea
of “can-do.”

In his
press conference after Tuesday’s practice, Florida State (2-2, 0-1 in ACC)
coach Mike Norvell was happy with his team’s performance in practice ahead of
their game with Virginia (3-1, 1-0 in ACC) on Saturday.

"It's
been a good week of preparation,” said Norvell. “Yesterday was probably one of
the best days of practice that we've had in a long time. It was outstanding in
all aspects." The fans and the media have heard that before. And
then the Seminoles take the field and chop off their foot with their own
tomahawk. Florida State must take that “best day of practice” and turn it into
victory on the field.  

Against
then-No. 10 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Florida State looked like their 2023 team,
for 28 minutes. After taking a 21-6 lead, the Seminoles gave up 220 yards
rushing and 44 points Quarterback Ashton Daniels threw three interceptions as
Florida State limped out of town with yet another loss around their neck.

Then
last week against Central Arkansas, after Florida State had a comfortable lead,
Norvell put in some backups on offense to get them some valuable game
experience. That did not go as planned as the Seminoles went scoreless in the
fourth quarter. Not exactly a shining example of player development or improvement.

Florida
State certainly has talented players. Daniels has cut his teeth at the
quarterback position at both Stanford and Auburn. He has great receivers on the
perimeter with Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy, as well as a talented running
back in Ousmane Kromah. But for almost every touchdown pass (6), there is an
interception (5).

On
defense, Daniel Lyons and Chris Jones are vocal leaders who demand accountability
of their teammates to do their jobs, both in practice and on game day.
Fall camp and game week practices were, and are, conducted with inspired play
one would expect from the Florida State eleven.

However,
there has been a disconnect from the practice field to Bobby Bowden Field at
Doak Campbell Stadium. Something is being lost in translation. Shockingly, defensive
coordinator Tony White stated that his own defense was executing defensive
calls in the 60 percent range.

Whatever
it is, the Seminoles need to see a doctor and get rid of it, and fast. At this
point in the season, with a 2-2 record, Norvell cannot afford to be
conservative in his play-calling. Florida State must strike early and often, and
then keep their foot on the gas, and the neck, of their opponents, beginning
with the Cavaliers on Saturday. And then, repeat that game plan for the rest of
the season.

Florida
State understands the language of football, as they practice it every day. They
just need to become fluent in the execution of plays and winning football games.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos