TALLAHASSEE — Mike Norvell is 12-7 in November as Florida State’s head coach. Whereas two have been victories over FCS groups, the Seminoles have produced 5 rivalry wins (three vs. Miami, two in opposition to Florida) in earlier Novembers within the Norvell Period.
If he’s to stay the Seminoles’ coach, Norvell might want to not simply defeat Wake Forest on Saturday but in addition stack victories in November.
FSU has possibilities forward, going through 5 unranked opponents. However there are additionally two rivals which have fallen on onerous instances: Florida (3-4) has dismissed coach Billy Napier, and Clemson (3-4) is going through the prospect of its worst season below coach Dabo Swinney since a 6-7 mark in 2010.
Maybe this could filed below the “each issues will be true” class: FSU’s 4 straight losses are perplexing, particularly given the season-opening win in opposition to Alabama, however the alternatives are there to search out confidence and respect in November.
“It’s all in regards to the outcome,” Norvell mentioned. “When you end up in a detrimental stretch the place you haven’t been in a position to overcome that, you go and also you take a look at it collectively massive image and then you definitely attempt to break it down into every section positionally, personnel-wise, and there’s completely different dynamics of issues which have confirmed up which have price us.”
If FSU had protected the soccer (limiting interceptions and fumbles) or performed with higher self-discipline (13 penalties at Stanford), the storyline to the season might be far completely different. The self-inflicted errors don’t erase 4 losses, however they clarify a reasoning. It’s simple to see how FSU might be 5-2 as an alternative of 3-4.
There are many X’s and O’s in each recreation, however we regularly overlook video games are performed between the ears. Are the Seminoles nonetheless targeted and acquired in to win or will some pack it in? Are leaders nonetheless main? Does Norvell’s voice nonetheless carry weight amongst gamers? These questions ought to be answered with how FSU performs vs. Wake and it’ll form the forecast for the remainder of November.
“We’re simply sticking collectively very well,” mentioned FSU offensive lineman Richie Leonard, a Cocoa native. “Even via the ups and downs of the season, I don’t see any lack of struggle anytime we step out on the sphere, any lack of effort, something of that kind. I undoubtedly like what I’m seeing.”
