Is it too late for Florida State to turn its

as the rest of the arena. Athletic director Michael Alford stood with his arms crossed, looking up at the scoreboard, shock

settling in over a 28-13 loss that would drop the Seminoles from preseason No. 10 to outside the AP Top 25. Another Florida State official utilized the word “confusion “to describe the scene. Norvell glared directly ahead as he ran off the field. No one– from Alford to Norvell to the coaching personnel and players– expected to begin 0-2. Florida State was expected to be past all this after Norvell elevated the program from irrelevance to an ACC title in 4 years. Maybe the most affordable point came in 2021 when the team left to an 0-4 start and

quarterback Jordan Travis was booed so terribly he thought about giving up football. From that indicate the 2023 ACC championship game, Florida State went 28-6. If the Seminoles engendered any sympathy after getting overlooked of the playoffs, it rapidly dissipated after the school opted to sue the ACC to get out of the league. The group’s 0-2 start has actually drawn widespread ridicule on social media and whispers

in ACC circles about karma being provided to the 2 schools that have actually submitted lawsuits (Clemson having lost 34-3 to Georgia in Week 1). The claims, however, have nothing to do with the on-field efficiency. The snub did send out the program reeling, a minimum of in the short term. For 4 years, Norvell had actually informed his players that if they put in the work, the reward would follow. Except when it comes to the playoff, it had not, leading

to anger and a crisis in confidence.Nearly a quarter of the lineup either opted out of last season’s Orange Bowl or got in the transfer portal; Florida State lost that game to Georgia 63-3. Ten players off its 2023 lineup were drafted, consisting of Travis, receiver Keon Coleman, protective end Jared Verse and protective tackle Braden Fiske.Players throughout the offseason, and at ACC Kickoff, lamented the snub and pledged not to fall short of the playoff once again. Asked whether the playoff snub has remained this year, receiver Kentron Poitier provided an emphatic no.”It ain’t about last year, it has to do with this year,”Poitier said.”Yeah, we talk a bit about [the snub]

, however this is a whole new team.”Norvell, on the other hand, had conversations with Alabama in January about changing Nick Saban. However he remained at Florida State and earned a contract extension that will pay him$10 million a year until 2031. At the time, he stated,” There’s a great deal of enjoyment around our program. I’m simply delighted to continue to build on the structure that’s been laid.”

Florida State dipped into the transfer website once again to rebuild. Since his arrival, Norvell has been strategic about the kind of players he has actually brought into the program. Early on, he brought in players with multiple years of eligibility to assist lay a foundation, consisting of Verse, Trey Benson and Jammie Robinson. Florida State increased back to an elite level thanks in large part to the portal evaluations the program made– from Verse, Fiske and Coleman to Johnny Wilson, Benson, Jermaine Johnson, Keir Thomas and Robinson.This year, however, Norvell wanted to add complementary players to a roster that returned 82 players– a lot of whom Norvell hired. In his mind, the foundation had been set, and the Seminoles wanted to rely on their role players handling larger starting roles while using portal players to match what they currently had.The Seminoles signed 17 transfers this time around, generating a top-10 portal class. The Seminoles knew they had to generate a veteran quarterback with Travis gone and Brock Glenn still in requirement of advancement. They targeted the two most significant names: Webcam Ward and DJ Uiagalelei. The quarterbacks visited on the exact same weekend in December.Ward had also checked out Miami and told ESPN in a previous interview that he made it clear to both training staffs that he planned to state for the NFL draft but would keep his choices available to go back to college.”A great deal of schools wanted to rush my decision, however I was going to do it on my time no matter what,”Ward stated. Eventually, Uiagalelei devoted to the Seminoles on Jan. 1; Ward stated for the draft the very same day however did not sign with a representative. He altered his mind and chose to dip into Miami, committing Jan. 13. Uiagalelei had formerly played in the ACC, starting his profession at Clemson before going to Oregon State for 2023. From the start, there were concerns about whether he would be able to dip into an elite level at his third school. One opposing coach observed,” I simply never ever seemed like that guy was a championship quarterback. He’s simply never ever had the ability to be accurate.”

In two games, DJ Uiagalelei has actually thrown for 465 backyards with a touchdown and an interception, and he is averaging just 6.7 backyards per completion. AP Photo/Colin Hackley Two games in, Uiagalelei has actually been erratic at best, and he was booed versus Boston College, where the crowd likewise shouted for the backup, Glenn. In two games, Uiagalelei has actually thrown for 465 backyards with a touchdown and an interception, and he is averaging just 6.7 lawns per completion.The other portal additions have been peaceful, too. Protective end Marvin Jones Jr., whom the personnel raved about all spring and summer, has actually been reduced the effects of as a threat (2 overall takes on). Alabama transfer receiver Malik Benson ranks third on the team in getting backyards. Roydell Williams leads the team in hurrying however is averaging just 3.2 lawns per carry.Asked after the Boston College game whether he had missed on his portal examinations, Norvell reacted tersely,”Obviously I’ve not done a good task putting our guys in a position to display what I

think that they are. So I’ll be better. “However the concerns go beyond the portal players. In between 2020 and 2023, Florida State signed 25 ESPN 300 players; 13 remain on the team. Three are starters. Gamers Florida State wishes to count on– consisting of DJ Lundy and protective end Pat Payton– needed to be persuaded to return to the Seminoles in the very first place.

In December, Payton threatened to enter the website before changing his mind; Lundy got in the website, and devoted to Colorado, before deciding to stick with the Seminoles.What likewise has actually been glaring is the lack of management. Possibly the staff believed changing 10 NFL draft choices would not

be as tough as it has been, both from a standpoint of production and leadership.”Travis, Verse and Fiske were all next-level guys who had actually been through the battles, and they do not have it this year, “another opposing coach said.Florida State worked the entire offseason on this needed intangible. Norvell held a retreat for the veterans who comprised his leadership council in January, six months earlier than typical, understanding he had a new group that had big shoes to fill. Gamers in March discussed the requirement to be familiar with each other much better, determining three key words to building a successful team: relationships, responsibility and mindset.At a team meeting the day before spring practice started, center Maurice Smith informed his colleagues to get out of their comfort zones and start developing relationships with guys outside their position groups: “We’re not here for NIL,” Smith informed them.

“We’re here to create a group and make a run. We only go as far as our relationship goes.”Inquired about the opportunity for players to step up in the face of hardship to emerge as leaders, Norvell confessed, “There’s an open door for that. I don’t want a group that waits for the difficulty for the people to occur, but it’s likewise necessity that in these minutes, when it does happen, who are you? What is the real core identity? “After the Boston College game, Poitier and linebackers Lundy and Cam Riley stated numerous times that players needed to start trusting each other.”I would most likely state really thinking in each other, trusting our brothers, understanding if a security remains in the fit, simply trusting he’s going to be there and not being hesitant and second-guessing yourself,”

Riley said.A 3rd opposing coach kept in mind that it usually takes a few games before a group identity emerges, something that has actually become more tough in the portal period with a revolving roster door.” Internally how you hold it together is even more challenging, “the coach said. The Florida State defense has had a hard time in the first 2 games of the season. Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire MAYBE THE MAJORITY OF DISCONCERTING to those close to the program is the efficiency versus Boston College. Florida State lost to Georgia Tech on a last-second basket on a different continent. Against the Eagles in your home, Florida State got dominated across the board and, by the

end of the game, appeared like a group that had provided up.In both games, Florida State failed to both run the ball and stop the run, a head-scratcher to those around the program due to the fact that the coaching staff believed its offensive and defensive lines would offer Florida State a chance to

compete again.Florida State returned the most experienced offensive line in the ACC with 190 starts and 2 preseason All-ACC players in Smith and tackle Darius Washington. With added depth in their running back room, the Seminoles felt they could be a dominant run group and count on Uiagalelei to be a complementary player, permitting him to thrive without putting the pressure of a whole offense on his shoulders.The initially drive of the season against Georgia Tech showcased precisely that– 5 hurries for 58 backyards, 2 passes for 17. However since that drive, Florida State has not had the ability to run with any consistency. The Seminoles have actually regularly lost their individually matchups, making it far more tough to run. In two games, they have 119 total backyards and are averaging 0.92 backyards before contact– the worst under Norvell.Not just that, the running backs were just not included versus Boston College. Florida State had four developed runs for running backs in the very first half, the least in the very first half of a game by an ACC group given that Duke had four versus Boston College in 2011. Although Florida State did not call lots of developed runs for Travis last season, he constantly brought the danger to run; that just does not exist with Uiagalelei, a vibrant that has impacted the way defenses have decided to play Florida State. The truth that Georgia Tech and Boston College– two groups that ranked last in the ACC in rushing defense a year ago– have actually shut down the Seminoles is particularly galling to those close to the program.One element at play is Atkins’suspension. The NCAA handed down a three-game suspension and two-year show-cause charge coming from hiring offenses in 2022.

Although Norvell calls the plays, Atkins is hands-on with the offensive line throughout the game and has the very best feel for when to make rotations, alternatives and particular line calls. He is not enabled to be with the group on game day, consisting of for pregame walk-throughs and planning.The Florida State defensive front has not been much better. The Seminoles have permitted 453 backyards rushing in two games, the most they have allowed in their very first two games of a season considering that at least 2000. One coach who viewed the opener versus Georgia Tech used the word “tender” to explain the defense. Norvell said he discovered players pushing to make plays against Boston College and”trying to do almost excessive.””That’s on the linebackers and the D-line,”Lundy stated.”We have actually got to play better.

Groups can’t be able to run the ball on us. We’ve got to figure out how to stop the run, and we’re going to do that, I assure you.”There seems to be a clear disconnect in between what is happening in practice and what is taking place on the field. Asked why what is occurring in practice is not happening in games, Lundy said,”We just got to be much better at executing our game plan. We have actually got to be more disciplined, more essential. We’ve got to do what we perform in practice. But it’s all going to come down to execution.” advertisement Alford has actually never ever wavered in his belief in Norvell, even when Florida State started 0-4 in 2021 and individuals questioned whether the coach was on the spot.

Alford told ESPN in a phone interview last week, “I have actually got full faith in Mike and the group. We reside in such a competitive arena every day, and we know what it takes to sustain bumpy rides. We have that unconquered spirit here. They’re going to be great. They’ll get it fixed. “BACK IN JULY, when Norvell consulted with ESPN during ACC Kickoff, he spoke about the challenges in pressing Florida State even further– to a location where the Seminoles compete not simply for ACC champions but for nationwide championships.Two months later on, his words sound more prescient than ever.”The closer you get to the tip of the mountain, the steeper it gets. You miss out on a step there, and it can be a tumble, and we have actually seen that happen within our own program years back. … Now it’s time to go take another step,”Norvell said.”It’s time to be better than what we’ve been, and the obstacles, the adversity, all those things, they’re going to appear. We have not shown up. But there’s likewise a great deal of enjoyment.”Now is the time to see what kind of reaction and management Florida State has on its 2024 team before it’s far too late.” Our program is constructed off responding,”Lundy said.”There’s a great deal of season left, and we have actually got to decide what we’re going to make the season to be. We’ve got to come together. It’s all on us. Coach likes to take the blame, but it’s on us. “