Florida State’s 34 missed tackles through three games expose a costly defensive flaw as explosive plays continue to hurt the Seminoles.
Florida State’s defensive issues cannot be pinned on one statistic, but through three games, one number helps explain why too many manageable plays have turned into something much more damaging.
The Seminoles have missed 34 tackles through three games, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), an average of more than 11 per game.
FSU’s defense has recorded 136 tackles and 50 assists, giving the defense a missed-tackle percentage of approximately 15.5% - anything over 15% is considered poor.
Another way to look at it is Florida State is failing to finish roughly one out of every 6.5 tackling opportunities.
Against talented offenses, those mistakes can quickly become explosive plays.
That was part of head coach Mike Norvell’s frustration following FSU’s loss to Alabama, when the Seminoles surrendered more than 550 yards.
“We allowed too many explosive plays tonight,” Norvell said. “Thought we did a better job on third down. Obviously, they converted two fourth downs that extended drives, but it really was explosive plays that killed us.”
Norvell specifically pointed to a bubble screen where FSU failed to set the edge, allowing what should have been a relatively harmless completion to become a long touchdown. He also mentioned a quarterback scramble and Alabama’s rushing attack eventually wearing down the Seminoles.
“We’ve got to be able to get off the field,” Norvell said. “And keep them in longer situations.”
The PFF numbers show that the tackling problems aren’t isolated to one level of the defense.
Edge defenders Jalen Anderson and Darryll Desir each have a 50% missed-tackle rate, although both have relatively small tackling samples. Safety Ricky Knight III is also at 50%, while cornerback Quindarrius Jones sits at 42.9%.
More concerning are the misses among defenders playing substantial snaps.
Safety CJ Richard Jr. has four missed tackles against 17 tackles and four assists, producing a 16% missed-tackle rate. Ashlynd Barker has missed three, while Ma’khi Jones and Ja’Bril Rawls have also missed three apiece.
Those four defensive backs alone have combined for 13 missed tackles.
There are positives. Linebacker Chris Jones has been one of FSU’s most dependable tacklers, recording 21 tackles, three assists and only two misses for a 7.7% rate. Omar Graham Jr. has 10 tackles and six assists without a miss, while Deante McCray has also been perfect on his opportunities.
But individual bright spots haven’t erased the larger problem.
Norvell acknowledged the quality of FSU’s recent opponents, but he wasn’t interested in using that as an excuse.
“You give up over 550 yards offense,” Norvell said. “It’s a good team, good offense. Yes, but we’ve got to be better.”
For Florida State, getting better defensively starts with something fundamental: when the Seminoles get an opportunity to end a play, they have to finish it.
