Florida State (1-2, 0-1 ACC) had its possibilities in opposition to Alabama, particularly after going up 21-6, however in the long run couldn’t sustain with the Crimson Tide in a 50-26 loss on Saturday night time.
The Seminoles gave up 567 yards of offense, the second straight sport of giving up 550-plus, and regardless of placing up respectable yardage themselves (471, 22.2 yards per completion), FSU was unable to beat three Ashton Daniels interceptions.
What are the primary takeaways from a Tenth-straight highway loss? The Tomahawk Nation employees breaks it down under.
Did tonight inform you something about FSU that you simply didn’t know earlier than?
- Tony: Sure, that FSU is able to changing on third down.
- Jon: Nothing actually that we didn’t already know. This was basically the identical sport as final yr, simply with a worse roster, and the outcomes mirrored it.
- LastNoleofKrypton: Didn’t be taught something new. I imagine I referred to as the QB a bottleneck earlier, and that continues to be true. The protection is 2009 unhealthy.
- NoleThruandThru: Probably not. The offense and protection can nonetheless appear to be competent items when issues are clicking, however there simply isn’t sufficient depth and expertise on the roster to compete in opposition to excellent groups for 4 quarters.
- Curt: 2025 Duce Robinson remains to be in there and may possibly win FSU just a few video games this season in opposition to groups of a decrease caliber.
- Matt: That FSU can run the ball even in opposition to a stout entrance seven. Sadly, certainly one of our greater weapons out of the backfield looks like he’ll miss at the very least just a few video games.
- Frank: Probably not. The protection was the identical ol’ similar ol’, however the offense performed their greatest sport of the season.
- Jacob: We discovered that Duce can in actual fact produce, which is nice. Liked to see that. The protection giving up 50 was to be anticipated given it’s Alabama, however I used to be pleasantly shocked at them having the ability to cling 36 on them. Whether or not that’s Bama’s fault or us being genuinely good is debatable.
- Tim: That with the best play-calling, Ashton Daniels is usually a “competent” quarterback. Don’t get me mistaken, he made pricey errors tonight. However the Seminoles can at the very least rating factors with him … unsure what number of they’ll win with him.
- Jordan: It advised me that there aren’t any solutions on protection. On offense, it advised me that Norvell can nonetheless script a great sport plan. Clearly, as soon as they bought off script, the offense was not as easy. However the begin of the sport was what the offense could possibly be.
- Perry: That Mike Norvell will certainly have a job as an offensive coordinator ultimately as soon as issues play out in Tallahassee.
What was the official turning level of tonight’s loss?
- Tony: Second climate delay, together with the missed holding name on Ryan Williams’ 46-yard landing. Simply seemed flat on protection since.
- Jon: The second-quarter run by Alabama. Individuals will level out the flagrant holding name on the one landing, however the way in which the protection was simply getting shredded all night time, I don’t assume it made that massive of a distinction.
- LastNoleofKrypton: The second delay, after they realized “oh yeah, Tony White’s protection by no means units an edge.”
- NoleThruandThru: Everyone knows when the turning level hit. Disgrace that lightning delay didn’t come 5 minutes earlier.
- Curt: I feel it might have occurred anyway, however the second delay little question turned the tide (pun meant). Alabama’s coaches adjusted and motivated. It’s exhausting to inform if FSU’s impromptu halftime had the identical impact.
- Matt: Permitting Bama to achieve 15 or so yards on two totally different third-and-longs within the second quarter that allowed brief fourth downs to be transformed. At that time within the sport, FSU had all of the momentum. Even simply maintain them to eight or 10 yards on third down and it forces a punt, and FSU might need been capable of put the sport away early.
- Frank: The timing of the second delay. Not even one minute earlier? Come on, man. The missed penalties on key performs, whereas anticipated, have been killers.
- Jacob: Bama’s two-play landing drive, with Ryan Williams getting the lengthy reception and scoring. Confirmed that Bama remains to be bother whenever you’re least anticipating it, and that this was in all probability going to be a loss regardless of how massive FSU was up.
- Tim: You possibly can level to the tip of the second quarter, however I feel it’s when Alabama climbs to being down 21-13. As soon as the Tide realized they might do no matter they need to this protection, it was throughout.
- Jordan: Clearly the run when Alabama scored three touchdowns within the span of three minutes of sport time.
- Perry: When Florida State was unable to go touchdown-for-touchdown within the third quarter, punting for the primary time. The second that the Seminoles couldn’t sustain with the scoring, placing issues on the protection, it was over.
Scale of 1-10, how would you grade FSU’s offense? Protection?
- Tony: Offense 8.7 — 36 factors on the highway. Protection 2.5 — did good the primary quarter, then forgot tips on how to cease something after that.
- Jon: Offense 8. Daniels had some bone-headed performs, however on the finish of the day you scored 36 factors in Tuscaloosa. Can’t ask for way more. Protection was a ten within the first quarter and a 1 the remainder of the way in which.
- LastNoleofKrypton: Offense 8, protection 3.
- NoleThruandThru: I’d give the offense a stable 7. They really performed properly sufficient tonight to win, had the protection even performed above common. The protection will get a 3 from me. Go away Tony White in Tuscaloosa. What a disappointing unit.
- Curt: Offense was a 7. Even in opposition to a extra gifted protection, the bottom sport remained good, quite a few receivers stepped up and Ashton Daniels hit some open receivers. He additionally threw three picks and constantly held onto the ball method too lengthy, limiting the ceiling of that quantity. Protection was a 2. No turnovers compelled, mainly no resistance after two three-and-outs to start out the sport.
- Matt: Offense: 7. Too many turnovers and missed alternatives to go larger. Protection: 2. In a phrase, yikes.
- Frank: Offense, 8. These first few drives when FSU threw brief passes on first and second down? Yeah, that was cool. Protection, 4. The most important disappointments are the gamers FSU paid good cash to return again as a result of FSU thought they have been value it. Simply disappointing. I might sit Rawls for at the very least the primary collection subsequent week for being an a-hole.
- Jacob: 7 out of 10 for the offense. Once more, pleasantly shocked. Three interceptions by Daniels brings this down. I used to be anticipating this to be a lot decrease scoring and for it to be shut. In the end, it was shut. It’s robust for me to really feel all that unhealthy about it because it’s Alabama and also you’re going to Tuscaloosa. These climate delays actually didn’t assist. Protection: 2 out of 10, since you allow them to rating 50 and it was 21-6.
- Tim: Offense, 7. Daniels made errors, however Duce, Boggs and Danzy all had moments. Kromah is Kromah (hope Singleton is OK), and the offensive line wasn’t horrible. Protection, 1? Can we rank detrimental? This protection is terrible. Loopy to say with how unhealthy I feel this staff is, nevertheless it may have doubtlessly been 3-0 with even an honest protection.
- Jordan: Offense an 8. Protection … yeesh. About as unhealthy because it will get within the second half.
- Perry: I’ll give the offense an eight too, though its irritating understanding that it could possibly be actually buzzing with higher eyes beneath heart. There was sufficient on that facet of the ball for FSU to have pulled off a stunner, if solely the protection had stopped the Alabama offense as soon as after the primary two drives of the sport.
Glass quarter-full, who or what was the brilliant spot of the sport?
- Tony: Chris Jones’ efficiency within the first quarter and a half.
- Jon: At most 9 extra video games.
- LastNoleofKrypton: You need to give it as much as the receiving corps as a complete and the offensive line. You probably did sufficient to win this sport.
- NoleThruandThru: Sam Singleton might go down as essentially the most puzzlingly underutilized working again in FSU historical past. I genuinely really feel unhealthy for him. He’d be a 1,500-total-yard man at a reliable program with a great offensive line.
- Curt: The receiver depth. Duce breaking out was massive, nevertheless it was additionally encouraging to see Danzy and Boggs make strides (hopefully for a brand new QB right here quickly).
- Matt: It was good to lastly see Duce get some targets.
- Frank: The intense spot for me was that the staff got here in ready and never intimidated by 100,000 followers, and successfully shut them down for nearly two quarters. Sadly, all of us knew FSU didn’t have the depth or expertise to compete with Bama for 4 quarters.
- Jacob: The playmakers. Robinson and Kromah have been good, a landing every. I respect what they did for us tonight.
- Tim: The extensive receivers. A lot of yards for the group (would have been higher if not for uncalled DPIs).
- Jordan: Liked seeing Duce become involved. Unsure why that hasn’t occurred extra. On that be aware, the explosive cross performs have been spectacular. Unsure what else after that.
- Perry: I’m with Jacob, seeing FSU really make the most of its guys was a irritating reminder of the potential that this staff may have. The offensive line additionally actually impressed me, it held up higher than anyone would have thought after the primary two video games of the season.
Do you progress on from Ashton Daniels after tonight?
- Tony: Sure. His consciousness score can be a 0 — by no means is aware of when to only throw the ball away, normally leading to a foolish sack or an terrible interception. He had some moments of throwing deep balls, and that landing run plus two-point conversion within the fourth. However it’s time at hand Marshall the keys and see what he can do.
- Jon: May as properly see what you have got in Marshall. Daniels isn’t getting this staff to a bowl sport.
- LastNoleofKrypton: You may have two weeks to get Malachi Marshall prepared for Virginia.
- NoleThruandThru: I’ve been on staff Marshall since he signed with FSU, so yeah, I might positively transfer on to see what you have got in Marshall. Nevertheless, Norvell will probably say he noticed sufficient good from Daniels to justify conserving him because the starter. The principle factor on my thoughts is that I can not wait till Garrett and the remainder of the GM employees get canned. Hearth them into the solar. This roster administration is simply atrocious.
- Curt: As alluded to above, sure. An FCS opponent is the proper time to see what your No. 1 JUCO QB has to supply.
- Matt: Sure. He has clear limitations and is now one thing like 6-23 as a starter. I don’t know if Malachi is the reply, however I’d at the very least like to search out out.
- Frank: Go together with the 175-pound Marshall child, and if he will get damaged you’ll be able to carry again Daniels.
- Jacob: That is genuinely robust. In the event you’re Norvell, you’re going with whoever has the most effective alternative to win. He made some good performs. In the event you’re seeking to consider for subsequent yr, since that is probably not the yr, it could be greatest to have him in in opposition to Central Arkansas simply to see what he can do. Go from there.
- Tim: Me? Sure. Mike? No. This sport confirmed AD’s strengths; Norvell simply has to determine to lean into them.
- Jordan: This season will clearly be a wash. UL simply beat SMU and FSU faces them on the highway. May as properly see when you’ve got something, as a result of you recognize what Daniels is and, most significantly, is just not.
- Perry: In the event you’re Mike Norvell, and also you need to save your job, it’s a must to. Daniels does simply sufficient to not kill you, however he doesn’t do sufficient that will help you win a sport. He hit massive performs at massive moments (his landing run was particularly spectacular) however the small errors and the gradual processing time compounded are conserving Florida State from absolutely gunning. It would not likely matter within the grand scheme, contemplating opponents are capable of rating and transfer the ball at will, however you may as properly go full Large 12 and attempt to put up 50 every week to beat your defensive flaws.
