FSU Football vs. Clemson In-Depth Recap: What We Learned

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Here’s the most in depth recap of FSU football and their latest game and what we learned from their loss against Clemson.

Even with a full month of games left to go, the 2016 season effectively ended for the Florida State Seminoles under the lights of Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night. After holding the lead with just minutes to go in the fourth quarter, FSU football watched any chance of pulling of the upset and staying alive in the ACC standings go out the window against Clemson.

It was the same old story for the Seminoles – fall behind early and have to comeback. Sadly, this comeback could not be completed and the ‘Noles are now left with another season of wondering what could have been after so much hype to start things off.

Here’s a look at what we learned from FSU football’s latest game against the Tigers.

Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) stretches before the game against the North Carolina Tarheels at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 – The highlight of the night, again, was the play of running back Dalvin Cook. Coming up just one yard short of 170 for the night, the junior from Miami finished with four of the Seminoles’ five touchdowns and put himself back in the Heisman conversation. It’s just a shame that the effort was, yet again, wasted.

No. 2 – Throughout the season, we’ve been giving quarterback Deondre Francois a break for being a youngster trying to play against some of the country’s top teams. D12 didn’t have a horrible night – going for 286 yards and one touchdown – but constantly had to get out of trouble and tended to overlook wide open receivers. If he’s going to become one of the best in the country, his vision has to get better. Of course, it’s hard to have vision when you are on your back the entire time…which brings us to our next point.

No. 3 – There is no excuse for the horrendous play of the offensive line. It was a problem the first couple games and was amplified in the losses to Louisville and North Carolina as well as the win over Miami. Saturday, the unit gave up six sacks to a Clemson front seven that was decent, but no where near as good as they were last season. It’s been a problem for the last few seasons and showcases why that unit – and its coach – might need a makeover.

Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) and defensive end Jamarcus Robinson (11) along with defensive coordinator Charles Kelly look on during the game against the North Carolina Tarheels at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4 – After two straight games of the defense showing up like they wanted to actually play, the unit from the first five games of the season decided to pay a visit once again. Yes, they were facing Deshaun Watson and the Clemson offense, but giving up 511 total yards of offense – including 378 through the air – was once again the downfall of the Seminoles on the night.

No. 5 – The secondary had another off night for the most part (shocker, Charles Kelly’s unit), but one of the only positives of that unit this season has been the play of cornerback Tarvarus McFadden. The sophomore from the Fort Lauderdale area came up with his sixth interception of the year – quietly being one of the nation’s better backs this season. For all the past great defensive backs for the Seminoles, the other No. 4 from South Florida could be the next one.

No. 6 – For much of the season, Logan Tyler has been dependable at punter, showing off a leg that has garnered attention for the true freshman that others don’t get so early on. Saturday, he struggled with an average under 38 yards a kick – a number that goes down even more when you take away his one good kick of 51 yards. When your defense is back to giving up yards like they are going out of style, you need your punt team to bail you out.

Apr 11, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher during the spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Extra Point

I’m not one to blame a penalty call or say that one play make a game in a win or a loss. Well, I’m usually not that guy, but Saturday’s game changed all that. The bogus call on Freddie Stevenson in the fourth quarter during a long run by Dalvin Cook was completely wrong (something Jimbo Fisher was vocal about in the postgame) and coast the ‘Noles a win.

If that penalty is not called, there is no doubt that Florida State drives down the field, eats up clock and seals the upset win. The ACC – which clearly wanted Clemson to win so they can have a team in the playoff – should be ashamed at what their officials did in Tallahassee last night.

Going For Two

So now, the month of October is in the rearview mirror with a 2-2 finish that had both losses by a combined five points. With FSU football now sitting at 5-3 entering the month of November, there are plenty of questions that remain.

Will the ‘Noles wake up and win huge games against N.C. State and Florida? Or will they just mail it in and head to the Quick Lane Bowl as a 7-5 team? Only the players and head coach Jimbo Fisher know what the rest of the season will have in store. Now is gut check time for this team. With nothing to play for title wise (except a state crown…along with a somewhat decent bowl game and maybe 10 wins), the next four games will define the legacy of Fisher, his staff and the 2016 squad.