Florida State Needs More from Sputtering Offense to Have Shot at Playoff

It can be tough to tell much about a team after just three games. But it's crystal clear for Florida State: Running back Dalvin Cook is the unquestioned MVP. Without him, the Seminoles have absolutely no consistency on offense. And if Florida State is even going to think about making it back to the College Football Playoff, that has to change. 

The irony of anointing Cook the MVP is that he rushed for just 54 yards—about half of which came on one carry—in a 14-0 win over Boston College on Friday night. Compare that to his 211 yards per game through the first two games.

But there are a few reasons for Cook's limited performance against BC. For one, the Eagles loaded up the box often to force quarterback Everett Golson and this new-look wide receiver unit to beat them through the air. With 119 yards passing at just five yards per attempt, Florida State posed no threat in that department. 

Florida State's passing game is a work in progress in general. Young receivers are dropping balls and failing to make contested catches. Golson isn't consistently accurate with his throws and still has some "Good Everett, Bad Everett" moments with his decision-making. Half of the time, it seems, he's running for his life trying to evade pressure because the young and inexperienced offensive line is having trouble blocking. 

But Cook was also limited because of what appeared to be a midsection injury sustained in the second half of the game. It didn't knock him out for good, but he was in and out between the lineup and the locker room. 

What Cook's injury means for him going forward remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Florida State needs him to be healthy and available. Badly. Hand the ball off to him, pass it to him, whatever. Just get Cook the ball some way, some how. He can get the tough yards between the tackles and show his breakaway speed on the edge. There's a lot of value in that versatility, as Ira Schoffel of Warchant.com tweeted:

With so many new faces on offense this year, it was understandable to feel the Seminoles offense would take a step back. For as brilliant as head coach Jimbo Fisher is, he can do only so much with a group that's still learning. 

What a learning curve it has become, though. Outside of Cook, the offense is a straight-up liability. After going 83 yards on the first drive of the game to score a touchdown, Florida State tallied just 134 yards the rest of the game.

Someone besides Cook needs to step up, but who?

After having a breakout campaign as a freshman in 2014, wide receiver Travis Rudolph felt like a natural selection. And, to his credit, he did lead the team in receptions heading into Friday. As Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat tweeted, though, fellow big-bodied receiver Ermon Lane needs to be a difference-maker in the passing game: 

Lane has two receptions on the year. 

Though Golson is still new to the offense, his accuracy has to improve. He's getting the job done on a limited basis with his legs, but that's never been his strength. Vertical passing is where Golson shines, but his short-and-intermediate game needs work. 

And, of course, the O-line needs more reps to grow together as a unit. 'Noles O-line coach Rick Trickett is highly regarded, but he has his work cut out for him. 

Florida State's defense was more than good enough to win against Boston College. It's been excellent, albeit a bit undisciplined at times, so far. Fisher knows this and isn't afraid to lean on it. Expect more of that this season: 

But looking ahead through Florida State's schedule, there are a few teams on the roster that will be much better at putting points on the board—teams like Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State and Clemson. 

Florida State's offense was going to be a rebuilding project anyway. That's what happens when you lose guys like quarterback Jameis Winston, receiver Rashad Greene, tight end Nick O'Leary and center Cam Erving. 

There will be growing pains, but it could also mean what it didn't mean Friday: losing games, and any playoff hopes that may have accompanied them. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand.