No need to state the obvious. Tough times for Noles fans. Season started ok. A few nice offensive drives and defensive stands versus Alabama in the first game of the season. Take everything into account, the Noles were not out-matched. More so, shot themselves in the foot a few times which put FSU behind the eight ball. Deondre Francois goes down with a season ending injury and so much went down with him.
It was expected the offense would struggle with a true freshman quarterback.
- Lose leadership in the huddle
- Playmaking ability diminishes
- Offensive playbook is divided by 3
- Chemistry with receivers is thrown off
- And just overall experience and situational awareness is gone
That’s a given. Didn’t expect the run game to be so average. Noles fans know Jimbo Fisher is a play-action play caller. The problem with the play calling this year is the ground attack is “so so” at best and not able to dictate the play-action pass.
Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick are sharing carries. Akers has 105 to his name and Patrick with 74. Combined, the duo is averaging the same amount of rushing attempts per game as Dalvin Cook had solo last season. But wait, the runnings backs can’t be the issue can they? Nope. The quarterback situation…”Is what it is.” Turn your attention to the offensive line.
The line of scrimmage is moving in the wrong direction for FSU. Observing the Noles upfront on the offensive line, they are losing individual battles and being beat across the face way too often allowing defenders in the backfield, disrupting plays at an alarming rate.
This season the offense is averaging 3.83 yards per rush and just three rushing touchdowns. After seven games, the Noles have just three rushing TDs? That’s almost unthinkable. Fisher’s offense is producing 134.71 yards per game on the ground. Stark contrast to 202.15 rushing yards per game in 2016.
Establishing the run for the Florida State, sets up the play-action pass. The threat of the play-action pass, removing defenders from the defensive box, promotes a more effective run game. Works hand in hand and not the other way around when a true freshman quarterback is starting behind center. Take these numbers in to account:
- FSU is averaging 2.7 rushing yards per attempt in the second quarter. So, after the scripted plays and initial punch in the mouth handed out by FSU, defenses seem to settle in and realize the the Seminole pass will not hurt them. Daring the Noles to pass the ball. 2016 – 5.11 yards per rush in the second quarter.
- On 3rd downs, the Noles are averaging just 2.6 yards per rush. That’s screams “Attitude issue.” Double back to the original point of the offensive line not able to move the line of scrimmage forward and inability to pick up the blitz. 2016 – 3.88 yards per rush on 3rd down.
- When on the opponent’s side of the field, specifically between the 39 and 21 yard line the Noles can’t produce quality yards on the ground. Just 2.3 yards per rush. Note: As the field compresses, so does the playbook. Easier to defend the pass as the ball moves closer to the goal line. 2016 – 5.56 yards per rush between the positive 39 and 21 yard line.
Opinion: The offensive line is the most correctable problem for the Noles. The running backs are fine. The quarterback is improving weekly and the receivers can still create space and catch the football. However, not being able to influence the game on the ground is stifling the offense. Running the football is about attitude and blocking. The offensive line is wrestling to hold blocks, rally to the second level (line backers) and blow defenders off the ball.
Got nothing for a fancy conclusion. So….done!