Mike Norvell on SMU: ‘I love coaching in these games’
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In his
final press conference ahead of the ACC opener with SMU on Labor Day,
Florida State coach Mike Norvell spoke about the challenge that the Mustangs
present from Rhett Lashlee’s coaching, offensive scheme and an overall talent
standpoint.
“Rhett (Lashlee) obviously
goes back to high school days with coach Malzahn you know playing for, he
is in tune with the creativity, the misdirection, the different
ways to be able to attack,” said Norvell. “Whether it's running the football, whether it's passing, the multiple tight ends, 10
personnel and just going out there and playing with more white outs. I mean, he's always been able to adapt to whatever he needs
to do and definitely going to bring it with a creative aspect of getting the
ball to his to his playmakers.”
According to Norvell, the
Seminoles had a good week of practice and worked on cleaning things up from
their week zero victory over New Mexico State. Norvell welcomes this game and
the magnitude of it. Under Lashlee, the Mustangs have averaged nine wins per season, have played for a ACC title, and earned a berth in the College Football Playoff.
“It's going to be like I
said, it's a great challenge. It's a game that I love,” said Norvell. “I love coaching in these games where you got a lot of respect for the
people that you're going against, but it's one that we're going to be ready
for.”
Norvell and the Seminoles
better be ready for the offensive onslaught that coach Lashlee and his Mustangs
will unleash inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night. Cleaning up the
communication issues and missteps in coverage assignments in the Florida State
pass defense was paramount in this week of game preparation.
The Mustangs return talented
pieces of their dynamic offense from a season ago, a unit that ranked among the
top 30 in the FBS in the following categories:
- No. 31 in Total Offense =
416.9 yards/game
- No. 13 in Passing Offense =
283 yards/game
- No. 26 in Scoring Offense =
32.2 points/game
Commanding this offense on
the field falls on the shoulders of third-year starting quarterback Kevin Jennings.
The significance of Jennings returning for a third season and running Lashlee’s
offense cannot be overstated.
In the era of the transfer portal, the continuity
that SMU will enjoy at the quarterback position this season is huge, and serves
as a prime example for their potential success as the season progresses.
The Florida State
defensive backs will be tested early and often on Monday night. Ja’bril Rawls,
Quindarrius Jones, and the rest of the secondary crew cannot afford to play
soft. They need to be aggressive and play far above their station they
displayed against New Mexico State.
Jones did get an
interception against the Aggies. Rawls got juked out of his shoes on a deep
pass route that resulted in an acrobatic touchdown catch for New Mexico State,
but also had five tackles (which was third on the team on Saturday night).
Jones only had one tackle and one pass defended.
The Florida State
defensive line will also need to make their presence felt, getting in Jennings’
facemask and disrupt his rhythm and timing to limit his impact, and force as
many negative plays as possible in the form of sacks and tackles for loss.
Norvell said he “loves
coaching in these games.” If his team shows up and is ready to play, and they
corrected the issues from week zero, then the Seminoles have a good chance to come
away with a victory over a ranked opponent.
If they do not have
answers for SMU’s offense, and Lashlee and the Mustangs makes Florida State
look silly, then that feeling of love goes right out the window and Norvell walks
away broken-hearted.
A loss by Florida State destroys
the team’s confidence and that growth that was achieved in fall camp takes a
hit. If the Seminoles lose, then the coaching carousel will light up and begin
to spin, with Norvell potentially at the head of the line.
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