Grading Florida State
Jimbo Fisher and the Noles are 4-0 thus far. Jameis Winston has been amazing. The offense appears to be some type of three headed monster. Running-backs Freeman and Wilder Jr have been solid....and even recently converted safety, Karlos Williams, has been strong for the Seminoles' run game. The offensive line might be the best it's been since coach Fisher arrived at Florida State. And the WRs have been incredible. So the offense is what fans have been hoping for, but what about the other side of the ball?
In each of their four games, the defense has started slow and given up a lot of yards. The best comparison I can make for some of the casual fans out there is that so far this season, the Noles have given up over 600 yards rushing. Compare that to last years defensive total, and it should start to worry FSU fans a bit. Last season their defensive unit only gave up about 1,200 yards rushing FOR THE SEASON. So, through just four games, the Noles have given up half of what they gave up all last season. That has to stand out to the coaching staff.
So was last week's game against Boston College a fluke? I would like to think so. I also think it is still a possibility that Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is keeping the play-calling very bland and simple. Fisher even admitted after the game against Pitt, that they would keep it very plain. Obviously being in a new defensive system, you don't want to show all your new tricks and schemes early in the season against weaker foes. You want to save the better plays and different looks for a more difficult opponent......like Clemson. However, it may be that we see some of that when the Noles face the Terps this weekend. Maryland has been the surprise thus far in the ACC. They are 4-0 and they look a lot like Clemson on offense. So FSU should really use this game as a 'tune up' for their upcoming battle with Clemson, which is just over a couple weeks away.
Fisher has down played the performance of the defense thus far. He insists that it's just a couple of miscues and misreads. Sure, the new aggressive style is very different from Stoops' style of defense.....but is it too complex for this group of players at this point? They have had one spring and fall camp to learn the system. That's not long to learn a scheme that took a couple of seasons and a couple recruiting cycles at Alabama before you could see the results. My guess is that by this time next season, we will see a much stronger and aggressive defense at Florida State......but that's the problem. FSU needs this defense now. The offense can hold its own with anybody in the country right now, but that defense won't make it any easier on the offense if they can't stop anybody.
Through four games, we have seen flashes of that great defense. We have seen a few wild blitzes, and a couple interceptions forced because of pressure, but we haven't seen the consistency it will take to win the ACC again, and make a trip to a BCS Bowl. Maybe it's just fans being impatient.... Maybe Fisher is telling the truth and this defense is holding back a little bit; not trying to show all of their cards early in the season. Or it could really be that reality has set in a little bit at FSU and when it comes to replacing six or seven key defensive players that entered the draft.....it's not easy. And of course, how could we forget about the SIX NEW COACHES on staff this year?
At this point, FSU has every reason to not look as good as they were a year ago. They lost a dozen players to the draft (including their starting QB).... Six new coaches, and a new defensive scheme.... FSU shouldn't be expecting to win the ACC, or even be in the running for it.... right? Well, not exactly. The fact is, the Seminoles have found a star QB to plug into a loaded offense, and the defense is learning a new system in which plays right into their players abilities. This team is very young and they are 4-0. Maybe there are some problems with the defense, but there were problems under Stoops' first year running the defense too. It's a learning curve, and by season's end, this defense will be great again. It's just a matter of time before it clicks..... and believe me, I am like many FSU fans out there and I want it to click now. Until Coach Fisher and Coach Pruitt pull out all the stops and we see what the new defense can do (or not do) against an opponent like Clemson, Miami, or Florida, I will reserve judgment.
Is Maryland for real? Is Florida State who we think they are? Many questions will be answered this weekend.
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