The second bye week could not have come at a better time for Florida State. The Seminoles are coming off their third straight loss following a 34-28 defeat at home against Clemson on Oct. 15.
During this bye week, the Seminoles will be looking to regain their footing from the 4-0 start to the season. As the team prepares to take on Georgia Tech at the friendly confines of Doak Campbell Stadium, here are aspects that need to be monitored before the Seminoles take the field once again:
1. Force Takeaways on Defense
During its first four games of the season against the likes of Duquesne, LSU, Louisville, and Boston College, Florida State came up with five total takeaways. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing during the three-game losing streak.
In losses to Wake Forest, North Carolina State and Clemson, FSU has not forced a single turnover.
2. Eliminate Costly Mistakes
Whether it was the fumbled pitch by running back Treshaun Ward against LSU, the fumble by quarterback Jordan Travis in the Wake Forest and Clemson losses or even the absence of offensive production in the second half against NC State, FSU hasn’t played a complete game in more than a month. At some point, the Seminoles have to find a way to stop beating themselves.
3. Get Healthy
Unfortunately, Florida State has seen its fair share of injuries this season. Here are a list of players who have missed time for the Seminoles:
- QB Jordan Travis
- RB Treshaun Ward
- RB CJ Campbell
- WR Winston Wright Jr.
- WR Ja’Khi Douglas
- WR Darion Williamson
- OT Robert Scott Jr.
- OT Bless Harris
- IOL Thomas Shrader
- IOL Kayden Lyles
- DE Jared Verse
- DT Fabien Lovett Sr.
- DT Malcolm Ray
- DT Jarrett Jackson
- LB Amari Gainer
- LB Stephen Dix Jr.
- CB Omarion Cooper
The Good News
The good news is that it seems as though star defensive tackle Fabien Lovett Sr. will have a ‘solid chance’ to suit up against Georgia Tech this weekend while wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. is hinting at a potential return soon on his social media accounts. It looks like the Seminoles are getting healthier at the right time.
Florida State needs to be prepared coming off the bye week. During head coach Mike Norvell’s tenures from Memphis and now at Florida State, he has a combined 9-2 record coming off of bye weeks. His offenses are scoring 43 points per game in those contests.
Featured image courtesy of Susan Erdelyi/Florida State athletics