Florida State Fans Deserve Better as Change is Needed Now

After two weeks to prepare for a Clemson team that was woeful on offense, the Florida State Seminoles gave up 36 points, two touchdown passes, and five field goals in a loss to the Tigers.

The Florida State fan base deserves better.

Under coach Mike Norvell, the Seminoles have an overall record of 10-23 and 4-17 in ACC play since the 60-point loss to Georgia in the consolation game that was the Orange Bowl in 2023.

Maybe Gus Malzahn knew something the rest of us do not, and that is why he is on the golf course right now.

Lack of accountability for players and coaches has plagued this program during Norvell’s tenure. Norvell has preached from the mountaintop about growth and execution.

Yet, those attributes have not shown up on the field on a consistent basis. Only once this season has the Seminoles truly dominated an opponent, and that was against the Virginia Cavaliers.

In that game, the Florida State defense recorded 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Quarterback Ashton Daniels rushed for a school record five touchdowns and 136 yards in a 38-7 victory.

Against Clemson, Daniels committed four turnovers (three INTs, one fumble), passed for 350 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in a losing effort.

Losing effort. That is a common theme for this Florida State team. A change is needed now.

If the university administration does not fire Norvell, then he must give up the play calling duties, and a change is warranted at quarterback.

What do they possibly have to lose at this point in the season?

Norvell should hand the playbook to assistant coach Tom Herman. Then Herman should toss that playbook into the trash can.

The Seminoles would have been better off drawing up plays in the dirt with twigs and bottle caps.

Herman has the experience calling plays for championship teams.

He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State during their national championship season of 2014.

After suffering heavy losses in their quarterback room over the course of that season, Herman coached a third string quarterback, Cardale Jones, into a championship quarterback.

A quarterback change is warranted.

Because of injuries and Norvell’s less than creative play calling, this team has become one dimensional with Daniels trying to do too much.

He forces too many plays that result, more often than not, in turnovers.  

Malachi Marshall or Dean Denobile should be considered to start the rest of the season.

Each of these players can bring a different style of play to the field, and could be the spark that has been missing from this offense, especially with Herman calling the plays.

Florida State was a first-rate program, built into a dynasty by Bobby Bowden. The last two and half seasons have been an abomination.

The fans and the players deserve better. College football deserves better.