Florida State coach Mike Norvell is happy with the way his team has practiced this week ahead of their ACC game with Virginia. But the Seminoles must learn how to turn those good practices into wins on game day.
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.
