FSU eager to see offense take flight
TALLAHASSEE — There was a twinkle in Bobo Wilson’s eyes while he thought about what FSU’s offense could accomplish.
The Seminoles spent a good chunk of their bye week getting back to the basics on offense, with the young group focusing on the subtle nuances that make a difference between a big play and a broken one. Mistiming a pattern, over-shooting a pass, not getting the right call in pass protection — these little things added up for FSU when it mustered just seven points on offense against Boston College Sept. 18. The No. 11 Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 ACC) won thanks to a stingy defense and now take an undefeated record up to Winston-Salem, N.C., when FSU faces Wake Forest (2-2, 0-1 ACC) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will air on ESPN.
Based on what he’s seen during FSU’s 15-day hiatus, Wilson said the Seminoles’ offense is ready to take off, starting this weekend.
“I think this is the week,” Wilson said unapologetically while flashing a hearty smile. “…We’ve been working real hard, Jimbo [Fisher] has been working us. And I think this game we should go out and start out fast.”
Starting fast may not be the issue for FSU’s offense. The Seminoles, following a wellcrafted script, marched up the field for an easy touchdown during their opening drive against Boston College. FSU amassed 83 yards on eight plays in the series and was then held to 134 yards the rest of the game.
Consistency, Fisher said, was FSU’s main issue. The Seminoles couldn’t sustain drives because different units struggled on various occasions. Sometimes it was quarterback Everett Golson, other times it was his inexperienced offensive line or receivers.
“All the little things accumu- late together and become big things and you have to understand that, because you don’t know when it’s a flat route that gets busted or you break a tackle,” Fisher said.
Regardless of who had lapses, FSU’s offense simply was not good against Boston College. The onus to improve the offense, fair or not, falls on Golson, which is standard for signal callers.
“When you’re quarterback, you get that ball every play,” Fisher said.
Fisher challenged Golson last week, saying he needed to “do a much better job.” He stressed that FSU’s shortcomings in the passing game — 282 yards through the air combined the past two contests — are not entirely on the graduate transfer signal caller.
In fact, Fisher admitted that he’s still learning how to best relay messages to Golson, a natural side effect given the limited time Golson has had to learn the offense.
“I’m very happy with where we are at,” Fisher said. “We’re taking care of the football. The decisions we have made have been good decisions. We’ve got to make good throws.”
Wake Forest does not figure to be an easy mark for FSU. The Demon Deacons present a challenge thanks to a strong front seven spearheaded by senior linebacker Brandon Chubb, who has 36 tackles through four games. Wake Forest is ranked 19th nationally in total defense and11th in passing defense (145 yards per game).
Weather also will likely be a factor for FSU’s offense, with heavy rain pouring down on North Carolina for most of the week.
In order to get the offense going, FSU players must get on the same page. That starts with Golson, who has lacked confidence and appeared skittish at times in the pocket. Enabling him to find continuity with his receivers early is key, and it’s something FSU has worked on diligently during the bye week.