Everett Golson, Florida State Finding Right Rhythm at Perfect Time

2015 was always supposed to be a reloading year for Florida State, given its myriad graduation and NFL draft departures. But if Saturday is any indication, the window to take advantage of the Seminoles might be closing faster than anyone in the ACC or nationally had hoped.

A dominant 41-21 rout of Louisville showed that Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles, especially senior transfer quarterback Everett Golson, are on the right track to competing for an ACC championship and maintaining national relevance.

Even while retooling, Florida State is 6-0, 4-0 in the ACC and, with a pair of games matching Top 10 teams on the docket, a certainty to leap back into the Associated Press Top 10 when the new poll is released on Sunday.

The Seminoles are finding their rhythm at the perfect time, and they’re showing that they won’t give the ACC championship to Clemson, or anyone else, without a serious fight.

That’s a key development, considering how shaky the ‘Noles looked at times over their last three games. A 14-0 win at Boston College was just as ugly as it looked, and a 24-16 win at Wake Forest was nothing to write home about. Last week, they needed a Dalvin Cook touchdown run with 6:44 left to hang on for a 29-24 win over Miami.

Saturday’s first half, which ended with a 7-6 Louisville lead, was hardly a thing of beauty, either.

But the Seminoles found their groove in the second half, outscoring the Cardinals 35-14.

“I think they kept their poise,” Fisher told ESPN’s Shannon Spake afterward on the game telecast. “We had plays in the first half where they were jumping, anxious; they wanted to do well so bad. We’ve got to relax and play a little bit.”

Sophomore tailback Dalvin Cook, one of college football’s best backfield talents, has been battling a balky hamstring strain. But he still found a high enough gear for a 54-yard touchdown that gave Florida State its first lead of the game on the third quarter’s opening drive. He finished with 163 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

Golson was quietly efficient, completing 26-of-38 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. It was an important day for the Notre Dame transfer, who has struggled to find his way in an offense that replaced four of its five starting offensive linemen this season.

Turnovers were Golson’s biggest downfall at Notre Dame, but through six games, he has thrown 11 touchdowns against no interceptions. While FSU’s young receivers are still developing, Golson’s steadiness has been important for the offense.

“He’s getting better and better,” Fisher told Spake. “There’s a lot of things he left out there, but he’s learning to manage situations, he’s understanding us better, he’s playing disciplined football, he’s making smart plays.”

A young defense, with freshmen like safety Derwin James and defensive end Josh Sweat contributing, also showed its oats by harassing Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson and making his life difficult all day.

Overall, it was Florida State’s most complete game and at the perfect time. With a trip to struggling Georgia Tech next, followed by a visit from Syracuse, the Seminoles are in excellent shape with Nov. 7’s huge trip to Clemson looming.

The winner of Clemson-FSU has won the Coastal Division and the ACC title in each of the last four seasons, and 2015 looks no different.  Winning in Death Valley with a younger team will be tough, but if Saturday is any sign, the Seminoles are rounding into form at the right time.