Florida State 2007: Frustration in a Box

Frustrating.

That's my word of choice when describing Florida State Football as of Saturday's blowout loss to in-state rival Florida.

Learning a new offensive scheme is tough, and doing it with two inconsistent junior quarterbacks and a shoddy offensive line proved to be even tougher.

Between the quarterback flip-flopping and the new Offensive Coordinator ripping his offensive players, there were a few bright spots, including a victory over #24 Alabama and a decisive win over #2 Boston College. But, the offense had its best showing point-wise with 34 playing UAB at home, and was saved by the defense in the Colorado and Boston College games.

Once again, the talk was, "If only we played like that every game."

Consistency has been hard to find, and nothing has seemed to work for more than a few games for the struggling Seminoles.

The preseason showed promise: 

Jimbo Fisher would make Drew Weatherford a star - Antone Smith would keep defenses on their toes at RB with his strength and speed - Greg Carr would become an all-around receiving threat, instead of just someone to look to in the end zone - Rick Trickett would solidify an offensive line with more question marks than the SAT - and the FSU offense would see flashes of what they knew when Charlie Ward was their field general and Warrick Dunn was breaking ankles with his crazy moves and sizzling speed at tailback.

Or so we were led to believe. 

At the beginning of the season, the savior was Jimbo Fisher, a highly-touted agent of change fresh off of LSU's staff, and the man who was supposed to take FSU right back to the top. Then Clemson happened. Weatherford struggled his way to completing 50% of his passes and his O-line let him go down 5 times. Antone Smith, the latest FSU talent at RB, had 92 yards on 14 carries, but 49 of those came on a single run. And Cullen Harper and company had a field day in the first quarter, taking advantage of an FSU turnover to score 14 points.

After the Colorado game and Weatherford's 8-18 126 yard performance, the calls to play Xavier Lee were louder than ever. FSU fans got their wish in the Alabama game, when the change was made, and Lee finished with 224 yards through the air and another 59 rushing, leading FSU to an upset of the Crimson Tide.

However, Lee would soon fade as well. He didn't perform well in the 21-24 loss to Wake, and during the Miami game, he threw two picks and fumbled away the game when the ball was knocked loose and Miami's Colin McCarthy ran it in for the clinching score.

Weatherford was on top again after playing well in the Duke game, and finished the Boston College game with his best outing of the season. He truly led the 'Noles to victory, and a huge one, being over the second-ranked team in the nation. Matt Ryan made costly mistakes, and the defense put the nail in the coffin with a 4th quarter interception, and the garnet and gold were on top of the world.

Next week, it was Christian Ponder's turn. After Weatherford left with a concussion, Ponder led the 'Noles to a 21-20 lead until he threw two picks and fumbled in the 4th quarter, allowing VTech to pull away and close with a 40-21 victory.

All year, someone always exhibited the possibilities, but couldn't do it two games in a row. Florida proved this with their 45-12 thrashing in the Swamp. The team strength, the defense, was torched by Tim Tebow's arm and Percy Harvin's legs, allowing 279 yards total on the ground and 262 through the air.

What they really need is somebody to step up. A Charlie Ward or a Chris Wienke or a Derrick Brooks to rally the troops and get 110% from everybody. In case you haven't noticed, it's not normal for FSU to lose. and with 11 losses in the past two seasons, changing the coaching staff was probably a wise choice. But the players need to step up as well.

One person can change the way an entire squad acts. Look at Glenn Dorsey of LSU, or Wesley Woodyard of Kentucky. Dorsey can change a game by just being on the field. He pushes Ali Highsmith and Craig Steltz to be the best they can be. Same with Woodyard. Kentucky's defense wasn't even something to talk about prior to the season, let alone the whole team. Woodyard is the heart of that defense. Do you think Braxton Kelley would have been ready to make that 4th and 2 stop against LSU if his defense was loafing around and acting sluggish? No way. Woodyard rallied his team and got 'em pumped up, and they listened. 

This works the same way on offense. Todd Reesing and Chase Daniel both have great confidence and great stats to back it up, and their teams have come from nowhere to claim spots in the top 10 where Florida State should be. FSU has far superior talent, but it's guys like Reesing and Daniel that really take a team to the brim of its potential.

Who, you might ask, could do this for FSU besides Weatherford? Preston Parker has unbelievable talent, and I could definitely see him becoming the Darren McFadden of FSU. But he needs his guys to buy into it and really work to be the best they can be. Then, we'll see some change. But really, it could be anyone. Anyone that always holds up their end of the bargain, and takes nothing less than the best from everyone.

The fact is, this regular season is over, and the FSU Boosters and fans are left searching for answers once again.