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FSU football overreaction: Constant embarrassing losses undermines the entire process
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- FSU football overreaction: Constant embarrassing losses undermines the entire process
Florida State football's (1-9, 1-7) bye week can't come any faster. It buys head coach Mike Norvell time to evaluate and decide what is best for his program.
But what about the current players, especially this senior group who has been with Norvell's program from the beginning? FSU has two more games left to play, both at Doak Campbell Stadium , against Charleston Southern and Florida .
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Coming off another embarrassing 52-3 defeat on Saturday against Notre Dame (8-1), Norvell was asked how he would motivate his players to improve when they are 1-9 for the first time in 50 years.
"We're in a bad place with the results that we've seen. We still have an opportunity with a lot of young players and even older guys. I mean, the guys are playing in their last game," Norvell said during his postgame conference.
"I want to see them lay everything that they did in their last games. I want to see them lay everything on the line. To go be the best that they could be. To go get better to put ourselves in a position to have a better result with the opportunities."
Do the players have any fight left? Even if they do, they are in a losing battle.
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More: FSU football needs to make coaching changes in the bye week after 49-point loss | Rooney
FSU football quarterbacks Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn are regressing
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 09: Brock Glenn #11 of the Florida State Seminoles looks on prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on November 09, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Since Norvell decided to play his two young quarterbacks , Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek , there has been no gradual improvement.
Since appearing in games, both have been sacked 26 times and committed eight turnovers. Glenn has thrown five interceptions this season. Two have resulted in defensive touchdowns, including Saturday's loss to Notre Dame.
Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Luke Talich (28) celebrates with teammates after an interception and touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
Kromenhoek, a true freshman still adjusting to the game's speed, has constantly taken unnecessary sacks. Kromenhoek has yet to throw a touchdown in the four games played.
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"There were some good individual plays, but ultimately, just not the consistency that we need from either of them," Norvell said.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 09: Brock Glenn #11 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on November 09, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Granted, it's not all on the two quarterbacks. The offensive lin e has consistently been shuffling starters like musical chairs in nine of the 10 games.
The wide receivers can't create any separation and get open. Norvell's playcalling continues to be predictable, and there are no better proper adjustments.
The offense remains at the bottom of the barrel, no matter who the quarterback is.
The offense had failed to put together a 300-yard performance. After the Air Force Academy scored 36 points on Fresno State, the Seminoles will be ranked last in scoring with a 14.2 average.
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More: FSU football vs. Notre Dame report card: The Seminoles continue its failing display on Saturday
Mike Norvell must make a move and quickly
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles and head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish talk prior to the game at Notre Dame Stadium on November 09, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Norvell reminded the FSU fanbase that changes were about to come.
However, his unwillingness to address the elephant in the room due to his focus on the remaining two games makes the situation worse by delaying the inevitable.
Norvell needs to let some of his coaching staff go. There is no reason to avoid it now because he wants to get through the season while conducting a proper evaluation.
How many times does Norvell have to see an offense that cannot generate points or develop a stable offensive line? Also, how often does he have to see his defense get owned in the line of scrimmage?
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles looks on prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on November 09, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
He knows he has to shake up his coaching staff. Why not speed up the process while the Seminoles are on their bye week? Norvell is safe for now because of his $63 million buyout fee, and he can't fire himself.
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It is time for Norvell to remove the bandage. He must understand that the sooner he does it, the faster the evaluation process will proceed.
Granted, it could backfire if the players were recruited by his assistants or are being recruited by them.
He also cannot communicate with other assistant coaches, who focus on their season on a different coaching staff without tampering.
However, it could open the opportunity to elevate some of his staff members and see what they are made of in the remaining two games.
Regardless, patience is running thin in the FSU community, and Norvell must take advantage of the bye week and start making appropriate moves immediately.
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More: Every FBS, FCS team in Florida - from previously undefeated UM to woeful FSU - lost Saturday
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
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Saturday, Aug. 24:vs. Georgia Tech * (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
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Monday, Sept. 2:vs. Boston College * | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 28-13
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Saturday, Sept. 7:Bye
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Saturday, Sept. 14:vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN ( Fubo ) Lost 20-12
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Saturday, Oct. 12:Bye
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Saturday, Nov. 2:vs. North Carolina * | 3:30 p.m.| ESPN ( Fubo ) 35-11
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Saturday, Nov. 9:at No. 8 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC ( Fubo , Peacock ) 52-3
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Saturday, Nov. 16:Bye
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Saturday, Nov. 23:vs. Charleston Southern
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Saturday, Nov. 30:vs. Florida
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Saturday, Dec. 6:ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
* = ACC
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Overreaction: FSU players deserve better coaching
