If only Florida State hadn’t raised the bar so soon.
First, there was an emotional victory over Miami, then a gut-check win over Boston College, followed by three more victories and a spike to No. 4 in the polls.
That’s when the Seminoles became their own worst enemy.
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Now, for Florida State fans, there’s a sinking feeling that the last four seasons of frustration were not an aberration. Heading into this weekend’s regular-season finale at Florida, the No. 23 Seminoles (7-3) have lost two straight and three of their last five. So the debate is on:
Is this a successful or disappointing season?
Yes, Florida State has won enough conference games (5-3) to reserve a spot in the ACC championship game next weekend. But it also has lost more conference games than it has in any other season since joining the ACC in 1992, including two in a row for the first time.
Coach Bobby Bowden recently summed up his thoughts about playing in the conference title game in one word: “Embarrassed.”
So where did this promising season go wrong? Consider several factors.
The favorite scapegoat on Internet message boards is Bobby’s son, offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, who has been a target for criticism over the last two years.
Florida State’s offense continues to lead the ACC, but it has regressed and the play-calling has been unimaginative. To Jeff Bowden’s defense, a year ago he was handicapped by the inconsistency of quarterback Chris Rix. This year Rix is gone, but Bowden has an inexperienced offensive line.
The running game was supposed to be a strength with Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker, but the Seminoles are next to last in the ACC in rushing at 110 yards a game and have 96 fewer rushing attempts than they did at this time last season.
Problems on the ground can partly be blamed on opponents starting the season by crowding the line and challenging first-year starting quarterback Drew Weatherford to pass. Weatherford responsed by beating blitzes and taking advantage of man-to-man coverage.
But in two straight losses to North Carolina State and Clemson, the Seminoles have seen fewer blitzes, three-man rushes and more defenders dropping back to confuse Weatherford, who threw five interceptions and one touchdown pass in those games.
“That’s something I’m still trying to figure out,” Weatherford said. “I’m getting hit a lot and I’m making a play fake and I’m looking at my first receiver and throwing the ball. I never can really get in the flow of things and figure out how much time I’m going to have.”
Chalk it up to more valuable experience for Weatherford, but by next season he will need more help from his line. The offensive line, undersized and thin to begin with, has taken huge hits, losing three players for the season, including full-time starters Matt Meinrod and Cory Niblock.
Offensive line coach Mark McHale will have a busy off-season. He wants to sign at least seven players.
The defense also has played a part in Florida State’s late-season slump. That unit also peaked early, allowing only 48 points in the first four games, including the 10-7 win over Miami.
The fall was swift and surprising. Opponents have scored at least 20 points in each of the last six games, a first in the program’s 59 seasons. Mickey Andrews, the longtime defensive coordinator, couldn’t believe what he was seeing in the 35-14 loss to Clemson.
“You don’t see that happen many times at Florida State, us get outfought,” Andrews said.
The Seminoles face a tough finish. Five straight losses are possible, with Florida, likely Virginia Tech in the ACC title game and then a bowl opponent ahead. That would halt talk of a Penn State-like turnaround with 26 sophomores and freshmen on the two-deep roster.