Florida State's Stumble in London Raises Red Flags for Seminoles

After a disappointing loss to unranked Boston College in Week 3, Florida State faces an uncertain future as it prepares for a pivotal ACC showdown against Louisville.

Last weekend's debacle in London left Florida State fans reeling. As a top-10 team, the Seminoles were heavily favored against unranked Boston College. However, the Eagles dominated from start to finish, handing FSU a humiliating 27-10 defeat.

The loss exposed several glaring flaws in the Seminoles' play. The offense, once touted as one of the most explosive in the country, looked disjointed and unable to sustain drives. Quarterback Jordan Travis struggled to find his rhythm, throwing multiple interceptions and failing to connect with his receivers consistently. The running game was equally ineffective, averaging a mere 2.8 yards per carry.

Florida State's Stumble in London Raises Red Flags for Seminoles

The defense, which had shown promise in the first two games, was shredded by Boston College's spread attack. The Eagles receivers ran free through the FSU secondary, amassing over 300 yards through the air. The Eagles also converted 10 of 17 third downs, keeping the Seminoles' offense on the sidelines.

Head coach Mike Norvell expressed concern over his team's performance, stating that "we didn't execute in any phase of the game." He pointed to several areas that need immediate improvement, including pass protection, tackling, and situational awareness.

The loss has sent shockwaves through the FSU program. After finishing with an impressive 10-3 record last season, the Seminoles were expected to contend for the ACC championship in 2023. However, the Boston College debacle has raised doubts about their ability to do so.

The Seminoles face a crucial test this week as they host 2-1 Louisville. The Cardinals enter the game on a two-game winning streak and boast one of the best defenses in the ACC. For Florida State, the Louisville game is an opportunity to salvage their season and demonstrate that the London loss was an aberration.

If the Seminoles fail to rebound against Louisville, their hopes for a successful season could quickly diminish. A win, on the other hand, would provide much-needed momentum and help restore confidence within the team and its fans.

The 2023 season is still in its early stages, but Florida State has already faced adversity. The loss to Boston College was a wake-up call, and the Seminoles must respond with a strong performance against Louisville. The outcome of this game will have a significant impact on the rest of FSU's season and its long-term prospects under Norvell.