For college football fans, No. 8 Florida State at unranked Virginia was an early candidate for  game of the year. For head coach Mike Norvell and his Seminoles, it was a bitter loss and a failed first test in the ACC.

The Cavaliers won 46-38 in a double-overtime thriller that will have FSU evaluating itself on both sides of the ball. Despite racking up more than 500 yards, the Seminole offensive line broke down when it counted most. And despite UVA's largely one-dimensional offense in the second half, FSU's defense couldn't get a stop.

In the end, Virginia’s fans spent the post-game the same way their team spent the game beforehand: rushing the field.

FSU came into the night allowing only 78 rushing yards per game. UVA managed 211 yards on the ground, the majority of which came in the second half and overtime, including quarterback Chandler Morris' game-winning keeper in the second overtime. 

Meanwhile, FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos was hurried almost every time he dropped back to pass in the second half and both overtimes. Even his game-tying touchdown pass near the end of regulation was on the run, and it resulted in the quarterback getting drilled as soon as he let go of the ball.

Extra periods were no kinder.

Down by eight in the second overtime, FSU twice had passes into the endzone that could have kept hope alive.

On third and goal, the UVA blitz forced Castellanos to make a quick throw. It was an impressive strike given the circumstances, but wide receiver Duce Robinson just barely couldn't rein it in, as decided after a review of the play. 

On fourth and goal, with the game on the line, the Cavs blitzed again. It proved to be the last one they needed, as Castellanos was again rushed into an off-balance pass, this one intercepted in the endzone to end the game.

Before the intended receiver could even get off the ground, he was surrounded by UVA students who had rushed the field in celebration.

The so-close, but so-far ending was indicative of the entire game for FSU.

High-flying Noles beaten at the line

It feels unfair to critique either team after such an entertaining battle, but the Seminoles had weaknesses exposed that had previously not been apparent.

FSU passed its first big test with a Week One upset of then-No. 8 Alabama. After almost a full month with relatively little challenge against lower level opponents, Virginia was the first real hurdle the Seminoles had faced since the day one triumph. 

After passing the first test with flying colors, Friday night brought down the average significantly.

The most concerning thing for Norvell's squad is the performance at the line of scrimmage. After an evenly matched first half, the Cavaliers dominated on both sides in the second half and overtime. 

In back-to-back scoring possessions spanning the third and fourth quarters, UVA ate 14 minutes and 11 seconds off the clock. The two drives totaled 12 plays and 16 plays, respectively. 22 of those 28 plays were runs. The Seminole front seven was gashed for chunk yardage play after play.

After a strong start for FSU's offensive line in the first half, the fourth quarter and both overtimes were borderline disastrous. Virginia called blitzes every chance it got, sending Castellanos scrambling constantly. FSU's front five was rarely able to even form a pocket down the stretch, and the only positives came as a result of Castellanos extending plays with his legs. 

The game itself was wildly entertaining - a high-scoring back-and-forth bout lasting deep into the night on national TV. Both coaches called excellent games, from FSU's three trick play touchdowns to UVA's risky late-game blitzes. 

But the end result, Virginia pulling off the upset, came because Florida State lost at the line of scrimmage when it counted.

It isn't the end of the season for the Seminoles. The margin for error in a competitive conference - and even the 12-team playoff - is more forgiving than years past. However, that margin has slimmed considerably after an upset loss on the road. 

Norvell and his team have plenty to address before facing No. 2 Miami next Saturday in Tallahassee.