After an early-season upset of Alabama and a blowout of East Texas A&M, there is an air of excitement in Tallahassee.
The marked improvement of FSU has many speculating and trying to pinpoint what has caused the 180-degree turn from last season. Why have some positions looked so different on the field compared to last year? And can FSU continue with its early success and avoid the dreaded “trap” game?
Advertisement
The Tomahawk Nation staff tackled those questions, posed by readers, in this week’s mailbag.
Which one of the potential trap games (UVA/Pitt/NCSU) scares you the most, and why?
NeedMoreTitles
Jordan Silversmith: All of these games concern me, but Virginia seems like the ultimate trap game right now. At face value, a road trip on a short week ahead of the biggest game of the season is always an obvious trap game, but this Virginia team in particular seems like a difficult matchup. Chandler Morris, the Cavs’ starting QB, has been as advertised to begin the season. The former UNT QB has 670 yards on a 69% completion rate through three games this season, including an 82.7 QBT against NC State on the road two weeks ago.
Advertisement
Speaking of the Wolfpack game, UVA probably deserved to win, as the Cavaliers squandered a 10-point halftime lead and missed a filed goal, along with turning the ball over on downs at the NCST 8 in the fourth quarter. Virginia is a -15.5 point favorite at home against Stanford this week after putting up a 50-burger in week three. The ‘Noles are more talented, but there are flashing lights around this week five matchup.
Based on their game against ETAMU, in what order would you play our running backs for Kent State and which back should get more playing time?
DrRJP
Tim Alumbaugh: I think it should be Gavin Sawchuk and Ousmane Kromah with Jaylin Lucas as your second back.
Advertisement
NoleThruandThru: I would say the same. I would hope that they’ll give priority reps to Kromah and Sawchuk to make sure they’re still learning, but I’d sit those two pretty quickly and empty the bench against Kent State. I think it’s a great opportunity to evaluate guys like Singleton and Davis to see how they’re coming along in game reps, and whether you’re confident enough to add them into the back-end of the rotation against better opponents.
Linebackers for years have been annual point of frustration. Through two games the play of the unit as a whole is remarkably better. Is this more attributable to the scheme or actual development? Guys like Cryer and Graham who mostly looked lost prior to this season now are balling, shedding blocks, maintaining gap discipline, taking appropriate angles, and finishing tackles
DenverNoleFan
Tim Alumbaugh: We’ve all complained about linebackers off and on for several years, but let’s not forget that in 2023, Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune were a formidable duo. Saying that, outside of those two, the second line of defense has been shaky. In my opinion, it’s primarily the coaching. Tony White has made a noticeable difference not just with the linebackers, but the defense as a whole. He holds his players to a certain level of excellence, and so far, they have responded. In addition, veteran Elijah Herring is a coach on the field with experience in a 3-3-5. And players like Blake Nichelson, Omar Graham and Justin Cryer are now in the program for multiple years. It’s a bit of a perfect storm situation that we hope continues all season long.
Advertisement
Which teams on our remaining schedule stand the highest chance to nullify our running game and force Tommy Castellanos to throw to win? And which teams have the offensive line to nullify our defensive line and test our secondary? Would this be Miami/Clemson, and/or some other ACC team?
bugzbunny
Perry Kostidakis: You made this easy on me and answered it — Miami and Clemson are still the two teams that stand in the way of FSU making another trip to Charlotte (and, one would assume, the playoff), with the former seemingly already up and gunning and the latter having a month-plus to prepare for the Seminoles.
Some other names, though? Pitt actually has graded out as one of the country’s best defenses through three weeks of play according to PFF, with the Panthers currently No. 9 overall in their ratings with a 90.9 overall (91.5 run defense, 90.1 pass rush, 76.5 coverage). Pitt will also be a second test for the secondary coming off Miami, with Eli Holstein suddenly looking like the second-best quarterback the Seminoles will face for the rest of the season.
Advertisement
Florida, who may be playing with a bit of renewed energy under an interim coach by the time the season finale rolls around, also has been pretty stout defensively all things considered, though USF gave the playbook on how to find success with a mobile quarterback. If DJ Lagway is actually broken it becomes a moot point, but if the playcalling goes through an overhaul then UF does have threats that will push the secondary.
Castellanos’ career-low in ACC play (110) came against Virginia Tech*, a 48-22 loss where he threw two interceptions. The chances of the Hokies repeating that success this year though seem, uh, not particularly high.
*other than teams named Florida State
Since Norvell did not capitalize on the 13-0 season from a recruiting perspective, do you think the current crop of coaches are recruiting savvy enough to cancel out his inability to close?
bugzbunny
Advertisement
NoleThruandThru: The narrative of Norvell losing FSU’s highest-rated commit each cycle will certainly cause people concern once the December signing period arrives, but I’ve been impressed with the new hires and how they’ve recruited thus far. Holding on to commits is different from landing commits at the last moment, but honestly not that different in this day and age of recruiting. Looking at the recruiting history of the new coaches, all of them have been primary recruiters for kids who committed in December, so closing power exists there.
I think there will be some movement in the class at wide receiver and am looking for additions at linebacker, offense line, defensive line, and running back, with possibilities at tight end and defensive back, but FSU has done a nice job securing the majority of the class. I have confidence in the new staff’s ability to close on the kids, but so much can happen between now and then. It’s hard to speculate too much.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts.
